Encroachments rampant amid renovation in Bangalore

Residents of KR Puram ward are cursing government officials for their failure to stop encroachments of the 32-acre Kowdenahalli Lake over the years. After the damage was done, the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has finally taken up renovation of the leftover lake area.

The lake, which comes under the Mahadevapura assembly constituency, was earlier maintained by the forest department. After the formation of the palike, the responsibility was transferred to the BBMP.

“While the inflow of sewage water is choking the lake, encroachers have turned it into a dump yard. Although officials were aware of encroachments, they kept silent and even encouraged encroachers who had the backing of political leaders. It is a nexus involving encroachers, politicians and officials. All the three groups are guilty of destroying this beautiful lake which once served as a lifeline for villagers,” said Ramaswamy, a resident of Shanti Layout.

According to KR Puram ward corporator N Veeranna, the BBMP took up the renovation work  last month.

“The sewage water, which was entering the lake, has been diverted. A retaining wall has been raised to block encroachments. At least 300 illegal houses had sprung up on the lake land over the past 25 years. The management of St John’s Junior College for Girls encroached 10 acres at the centre of the lake. They are running the institution for the past 15 years.
The college authorities say former MLA A Krishnappa had allotted the land to them. When the high court directed the department concerned to demolish the encroachment, the college authorities got a stay order from the Supreme Court,” Veeranna said.

Slums have also come up in the lake and till the BBMP provides its dwellers alternative land, they cannot be evacuated from the encroached place,” Veeranna added.

The encroached lake area is filled with sewage water, plastic bags, and other garbage. The entire area stinks.

Kowdenahalli Lake, which is located near Ramamurthy Nagar, is being renovated by the BBMP at Rs496.25 lakh. The fencing has been taken up at Rs34.55 lakh.

“The first phase of the work like desilting, diversion, and embarkment has been completed at Rs163.82 lakh, while the second phase of the work like pitching grills and silt trap is carried out at Rs263 lakh. The BBMP is also setting up a sewage treatment plant (STP) at Rs197 lakh, said a BBMP official adding that fencing work is under way.

Diversion, drain work, and embankment have been completed while grill work, walkway and footbridge work are in progress. Proposal for 1 MLD capacity STP has been submitted for approval.