BDA to Develop Lakes in Bangalore

Unable to take up the development and restoration of lakes within its limits, the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has decided to hand them over to the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA).

The BBMP has identified 183 live lakes in its limits. They cover an area of approximately 7,209 acres. The civic body had taken up development works in 132 lakes covering 5,382 acres. The BBMP commissioner had on August 19, 2011 written to the state government requesting it to take over the development of the lakes through the BDA, as it is unable carry out the required works on a regular basis. As per an order issued by the urban development department on January 25 this year, the BBMP is to hand over 78 lakes to the BDA. However, it will be the responsibility of the BBMP and the state government to earmark a certain amount for the development of the lakes.

A senior BDA official said, “The lakes have been handed over to the BDA. Soon, we will prepare an action plan after preparing a detailed project report. The first task before us is to remove the encroachments.”

Rejuvenate the lakes

On February 11, 1988, the L Lakshmanrao Committee had recommended that the state government take up development works around lakes. Among other things, silt should be removed, it said. The committee had recommended it not to hand over the lake or the surrounding land to any organisation. It is the responsibility of the revenue department to keep the lakes free of encroachments with the help of the Bangalore Metropolitan Task Force. The committee had also said that sewage water should not enter the lakes during rejuvenation work.