BENGALURU: The Koliwad committee report on lake encroachments has drawn mixed response from citizens. While some residents’ welfare association members welcomed it, others were skeptical about its implementation. They, however, demanded stringent action against any kind of encroachment.
“They are suggesting a penalty and, in some cases, the takeover of encroached land in lieu of alternative land. How will it help in case of flooding?” asked N Mukund, secretary Jayanagar 5th Block RWA. DS Rajashekar of the Federation of Bangalore North East Resident Welfare Association said the report should see a logical end. “It should not meet the fate of past reports, it should transcribe into action”. He also opposed the move to penalize individual encroachers. “These individuals were trapped in the encroachments. They were unaware of it, unlike the land developers. The house owners should not be fined, instead the authorities who sanctioned it should be penalised,” he added.
Vasanthnagar Residents Welfare Association’s Secretary Rajkumar Dugar said,“So many lakes have gone in the past few decades. Recent encroachments should be removed.”Badrinath, secretary of the Residents Welfare Association of RR Nagar, pointed out, “A private land developer has encroached upon seven acres of Bheemanakere lake land.”