Various civic agencies have identified encroachments on 121 lakes in the city. Heads of the agencies submitted a report to Upa Lokayukta Justice Subhash B Adi and agreed to clear the encroachments, totalling 315 acres, and rehabilitate slum dwellers in three months.
“The BBMP said it has cleared encroachments of 85 acres on several lakes. It is also developing 55 lakes, of which, 29 lakes are free from encroachments. The Kowdenahalli lake has the highest extent of encroachment of 34 acres,’’ Justice Adi said.
Justice Adi said the authorities have agreed to shift the families to a temporary accommodation and later to a permanent place allotted by the Slum Clearance Board.
The Upa Lokayukta had visited few lakes last month to check the status and had instructed the BDA and the BBMP commissioners to develop lakes and also set up Sewage Treatment Plants (STP) wherever feasible.
“The BDA is developing nine lakes. The BWSSB has also agreed to set up STPs wherever feasible and treated water will be discharged to the lakes. In some areas, treated water will also be supplied for commercial and industrial purposes. Sarakki and Iblur are the two lakes where STPs will be set up soon,’’ Adi said.