The BDA has handed over 60 more lakes to the BBMP, unable to handle them due to acute funds crunch. The lakes include Bellandur, Varthur, Kalkere and Hulimavu. The BDA had written to the government that it was finding it difficult to develop the lakes in its custody for want of funds for its various ongoing projects, including the Kempegowda Layout, off Mysuru Road. The BDA is now left with only 31 lakes and possibilities are that they too would be handed over to BBMP sooner than later.
The government has put certain conditions to the BBMP. It has said the BBMP will have to de-silt and de-weed these lakes. It will also have to ensure that sewage does not flow into the lakes.
Before starting any development work in these lakes, the BBMP will have to take the help of the Revenue department, get a survey done and remove encroachments. In the event of any dispute, the Palike should file cases in the court and if there are litigations pending, the BBMP can implead itself.
The government has directed the BBMP to prepare a detailed project report first, get it approved by the Lake Development and Conservation Authority (LDCA) and then start work. The development work should be undertaken strictly under the supervision of LDCA and forest officials deputed to BBMP.
A Palike official told DH that the budget allocated is not sufficient to maintain one lake, let alone the 169 lakes in BBMPs custody. "BBMP has earmarked only Rs 15 crore this year and an additional Rs 100 crore is expected from the government under the Nagarotthana scheme," said the officer.
Ramesh Shivaram, secretary of Forward Foundation, welcomed the governments decision to hand over the lakes to the BBMP as the BDA and LDCA lack the technical expertise to develop the lakes.
"Funds allocated for the development of 169 lakes are inadequate, but we hope more funds will be released for their development," said Shivaram.
The government has put certain conditions to the BBMP. It has said the BBMP will have to de-silt and de-weed these lakes. It will also have to ensure that sewage does not flow into the lakes.
Before starting any development work in these lakes, the BBMP will have to take the help of the Revenue department, get a survey done and remove encroachments. In the event of any dispute, the Palike should file cases in the court and if there are litigations pending, the BBMP can implead itself.
The government has directed the BBMP to prepare a detailed project report first, get it approved by the Lake Development and Conservation Authority (LDCA) and then start work. The development work should be undertaken strictly under the supervision of LDCA and forest officials deputed to BBMP.
A Palike official told DH that the budget allocated is not sufficient to maintain one lake, let alone the 169 lakes in BBMPs custody. "BBMP has earmarked only Rs 15 crore this year and an additional Rs 100 crore is expected from the government under the Nagarotthana scheme," said the officer.
Ramesh Shivaram, secretary of Forward Foundation, welcomed the governments decision to hand over the lakes to the BBMP as the BDA and LDCA lack the technical expertise to develop the lakes.
"Funds allocated for the development of 169 lakes are inadequate, but we hope more funds will be released for their development," said Shivaram.
The BDA has handed over 60 more lakes to the BBMP, unable to handle them due to acute funds crunch. The lakes include Bellandur, Varthur, Kalkere and Hulimavu. The BDA had written to the government that it was finding it difficult to develop the lakes in its custody for want of funds for its various ongoing projects, including the Kempegowda Layout, off Mysuru Road. The BDA is now left with only 31 lakes and possibilities are that they too would be handed over to BBMP sooner than later.
The government has put certain conditions to the BBMP. It has said the BBMP will have to de-silt and de-weed these lakes. It will also have to ensure that sewage does not flow into the lakes.
Before starting any development work in these lakes, the BBMP will have to take the help of the Revenue department, get a survey done and remove encroachments. In the event of any dispute, the Palike should file cases in the court and if there are litigations pending, the BBMP can implead itself.
The government has directed the BBMP to prepare a detailed project report first, get it approved by the Lake Development and Conservation Authority (LDCA) and then start work. The development work should be undertaken strictly under the supervision of LDCA and forest officials deputed to BBMP.
A Palike official told DH that the budget allocated is not sufficient to maintain one lake, let alone the 169 lakes in BBMP's custody. "BBMP has earmarked only Rs 15 crore this year and an additional Rs 100 crore is expected from the government under the Nagarotthana scheme,” said the officer.
Ramesh Shivaram, secretary of Forward Foundation, welcomed the government's decision to hand over the lakes to the BBMP as the BDA and LDCA lack the technical expertise to develop the lakes.
"Funds allocated for the development of 169 lakes are inadequate, but we hope more funds will be released for their development,” said Shivaram.
The government has put certain conditions to the BBMP. It has said the BBMP will have to de-silt and de-weed these lakes. It will also have to ensure that sewage does not flow into the lakes.
Before starting any development work in these lakes, the BBMP will have to take the help of the Revenue department, get a survey done and remove encroachments. In the event of any dispute, the Palike should file cases in the court and if there are litigations pending, the BBMP can implead itself.
The government has directed the BBMP to prepare a detailed project report first, get it approved by the Lake Development and Conservation Authority (LDCA) and then start work. The development work should be undertaken strictly under the supervision of LDCA and forest officials deputed to BBMP.
A Palike official told DH that the budget allocated is not sufficient to maintain one lake, let alone the 169 lakes in BBMP's custody. "BBMP has earmarked only Rs 15 crore this year and an additional Rs 100 crore is expected from the government under the Nagarotthana scheme,” said the officer.
Ramesh Shivaram, secretary of Forward Foundation, welcomed the government's decision to hand over the lakes to the BBMP as the BDA and LDCA lack the technical expertise to develop the lakes.
"Funds allocated for the development of 169 lakes are inadequate, but we hope more funds will be released for their development,” said Shivaram.