BENGALURU: The Lokayukta Justice BS Patil and Upa Lokayuktas Justice KN Phaneendra and Justice B Veerappa on Monday paid surprise visits to lakes in the city as they were flooded with complaints over encroachment of water bodies and severe pollution.
Justice Patil visited Sompura Lake and Lingadheeranahalli Solid Waste Management Disposal Centre, took stock and issued necessary directions to the concerned.
Upa Lokayukta Justice Phaneendra paid a visit to Narasappanahalli Lake near Peenya and the surrounding areas, where he found that building debris had been dumped around the lake and solid waste had been thrown everywhere for many days.
He also found encroachment of the buffer zone, constructions of permanent structures on the lake shore and discharge of effluents from factories and residents directly to the lake. Even abandoned vehicles were parked on the lake shore. He also noticed that solid waste dumped on Magadi Road was not cleared.
Meanwhile, Upa Lokayukta Justice B Veerappa visited Kaggadasapura Lake in CV Raman Nagar. He found that no buffer zone is provided surrounding the lake; instead, Sewage Treatment Plans (STPs) were constructed within the buffer zone.
Though authorities claimed that Rs 3 crore was spent on the desilting of the lake, jungles were grown inside, and plastic waste is still there. The apartments around the lake have not installed STPs, and the dog menace is rampant, causing inconvenience to people who go for a walk. On his way to the lake, Justice Veerappa found that the garbage was on the side of the compound wall of the BEML and HAL premises, and also on either side of the road opposite to Savithribai Phule Bhavan.
He expressed displeasure over the dumping of garbage inside Storm Water Drain (SWD) near police quarters in Austin Town and parking of old vehicles and dumping old furniture on either side of the road, causing traffic hurdles.
Both the Upa Lokayuktas have directed the authorities concerned to take corrective measures immediately.