BENGALURU: Another fire on the banks of Bellandur lake triggered concern and a series of speculations at around 2.45 pm on Sunday. The incident, which took place near Belur Nagasandra village, is believed to have been caused by the people who collect dry grass for fodders. Local residents, however, thought the smoke was due to the effluents catching fire. Earlier, in February, another part of the lake had caught fire, creating panic among the residents in the vicinity.
“This time, it was started by the villagers who regularly collect fodder from the area. They probably used fire to ensure that the new grass grows better. I spoke to some villagers and told them to ensure that the action is not repeated,” said Mahadevapura Joint Commissioner B V Vasanthi Amar.
BDA official Nagaraj, however, said the fire was caused by those working at the nearby sewage treatment plant in Chalaghatta to drive away the mosquitoes.
“A police complaint has been registered against them and a policeman would be posted in the area from Monday onwards,” he added.
BWSSB Chief Engineer Ramakrishna refuted the allegation. He said the workers are posted there since 1970 and they didn’t cause the fire. He blamed people who visit the lake bed from nearby areas to collect fodder.
“They have a callous attitude and such incidents are like a joke for them. They don’t think of the consequences. BDA officials called me following the incident and a BWSSB engineer was sent to the spot,” he added.
A BURNING PROBLEM
Following the last fire incident in Bellandur lake, the National Green Tribunal had taken a suo motu case against the civic agencies responsible for the maintenance of lake. The tribunal asked them why they should not be prosecuted for negligence. The tribunal also came down heavily on Karnataka Lake Conservation and Development Authority (KLCDA) for it being the sole lake development authority in the world that is allowing fire incidents to take place in the lakes. In fact, the state along with the KLCDA and other authorities have been directed to apprise the court of the measures taken post lake fire incident on February 16, 2017 to prevent such accidents in future. Lokayukta P Vishwanath Shetty too registered a suo motu complaint on the plight of Bellandur lake based on a report titled ‘Froth of Problems in Silicon City’ published in Express.