The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Lake maintenance may be handed over to BDA or BMP

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Oct 30, 2005

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Lake maintenance may be handed over to BDA or BMP

Staff Reporter

There is a plan to amend laws in this regard, says Chief Minister

BANGALORE: Chief Minister N. Dharam Singh on Saturday said the Government was planning to amend laws to hand over maintenance of lakes in and around the city from the Department of Forests to the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP) or the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA).

To a question on the action being taken on large-scale encroachment of lakes, Mr. Singh said there was a plan to bring the maintenance of lakes and the related development works under one authority. On encroachments, he said, the Cabinet would take a decision after holding discussions with officials, including Chief Secretary B.K. Das.

During his visit to the areas affected by torrential rain in the city, Mr. Singh said he had found encroachments near storm water drains and lakes.

He had directed the BMP to take steps to clear the encroachment on 28 acres of a lake at Uttarahalli. The Slum Clearance Board had been directed to relocate people of a slum in Rajajinagar, he said. The crisis management committee headed by Mr. Das was monitoring the relief operations.

On the absence of basic facilities in the relief camps, Mr. Singh said there were bound to be complaints in such situations.

"I have directed the commissioners of BMP and city municipal councils to provide facilities in the relief camps," Mr. Singh said.

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