Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), which is entrusted with the work of rejuvenating lakes, is allowing unlawful constructions to come up around the periphery of the lakes despite the High Court prohibiting development activities within the 30-metre periphery of lakes.
Some blocks of an apartment complex is being constructed very close to the periphery of Dorekere, near Uttarahalli.
Many buildings too have come up just along the periphery of the lake in the past though Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) had prohibited developmental activities within the 30-metre periphery of lakes in its City Development Plan 2015, approved in 2005.
As the regulation was being violated frequently, the state government had issued a circular on October 23, 2010 to different departments, including the BBMP, to prohibit developmental activities in the regulated area.
On April 11, 2012 the High Court directed the state government not to allow developmental activities within the prescribed area and to remove unauthorised constructions.
Yet, some of the officials are allowing such constructions either by approving the plans or turning a blind eye towards them. The construction near Dorekere is coming up despite the fact that the lake was rejuvenated recently and was inaugurated by the Chief Minister.
BBMP Commissioner Siddaiah said, “I will order an inquiry and those found guilty will be punished in accordance with the law.” BBMP Standing Committee (Town Planning) Chairman A N Purushottam said divisional engineers have to check unauthorised constructions with the help of other junior engineers in their division.
The BBMP engineers have to inspect the site to see if the builder is complying with the rules. Yet, many buildings have come up around the periphery of Shivapura Lake near Peenya, Vibhutipura Lake and Nakkundi Lake.
One of the apartment blocks has encroached upon the lake in Vibhutipura and BBMP has identified it for demolition. Though many buildings on the periphery of Vibutipura Lake have take a long time for construction, the officials concerned have allowed it for some strange reasons.