The Hindu 02.11.2009

Siddaiah orders removal of BDA encroachment

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: The Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) began clearing lakebed encroachments from its own backyard after its Commissioner Siddaiah directed officials to restore the Talagattapura Lake in Banashankari VI Stage here on Saturday.

Mr. Siddaiah noticed that 34 sites had been carved out of about a hectare of the lakebed in Banashankari VI Stage when he undertook an inspection of lakes handed over to BDA for overall development.

He asked his staff to cancel the allotments and give alternative sites to those who had bought the sites.

He noticed encroachment of the lakebed by some institutions and directed the concerned to remove them too.

He asked the officials to remove encroachment from all lakebeds entrusted to BDA.

The Commissioner later visited Venkateshapura Lake, Jakkur Lake and Rachenahalli Lake before reviewing restoration work.

Mr. Siddaiah asked the officials to clear encroachment to an extent of 13 acres and 12 guntas in Jakkur Lake and 18 acres in Rachenahalli Lake.

The water holding capacity of Venkateshapura Lake could be enhanced if the bund height was increased, Mr. Siddaiah said and directed the officials to widen the adjoining quarry pits to extend the area of the lake.

Restoration of all lakes should be completed before the next monsoon, he said.

Mr. Siddaiah said a majority of the lakes were getting polluted because of influx of sewage.

He said he would ask Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) to install water treatment plants near the lakes while the BDA would bear half the cost of the treatment plants.

He reviewed various works being taken up by the BDA on the Outer Ring Roads.

The Hindu 02.11.2009

Encroachers give up land for park finally

Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD: Residents of Nagarjuna Nagar in Tarnaka finally won the decade-old ‘battle’ against encroachments on Sunday and managed to protect a piece of land meant for a park.

The fight between colony association and some persons who allegedly kept the park premises under their occupation came to an end with the latter giving in writing that they would not indulge in such activities anymore. It all happened when residents were staging a demonstration protesting against the apathetic attitude of GHMC officials in protecting the land from encroachments.

The residents claimed that persons who kept control of the land all these years came to the colony and discussed the issue in detail.

After much persuasion, they agreed to give away the 600 square yards land for developing it into a park.

Petition filed

Association executive member K. Venugopal Reddy lauded them for realising their mistake. He, however, said that the struggle against GHMC would continue for developing the land into a beautiful park for the convenience of over 300 families in the colony. Mr. Reddy said the land had remained encroached since 1995 and apart from temporary sheds in the vacant land, a compound wall also constructed. In order to protect the land, the Association has filed a petition in the court seeking its intervention, he explained.