Our demands are simple:

1. Save Pattandur Agrahara lake.
2. BDA amend RMP 2015 to re-include lake in ELU & PLU Maps, Cancel illegal Road project which violates the Lake and Rajakaluve buffer zones. 
3. Clear Lake and Lake Buffer Zone Violations/encroachments.
4. Clear Rajakaluve and Rajakaluve Buffer Zone Violations.
5. AG to pursue urgent hearing of the WP 26097/2018 and get court to pass final orders.
6. The rajakaluve encroachments on north side of the lake needs to be cleared, and rajakaluve re-included in revenue maps.

The 1000 year old, historic, Pattandur Agrahara Lake in Whitefield, Bengaluru, was encroached illegally through fraud, using a cooked up Land Tribunal Order, just 40 years ago. The State has been making half hearted attempts to retrieve the lake from the encroachers, but due to laxity, mismanagement and connivance of some officials with the encroachers, the state has lost many cases in this regard. 

But under public pressure, the state filed a "Fraud Case" against the lake grabbers, in the Karnataka High Court, and has obtained a Stay Order on the operation of the fraudulent Land Tribunal Order, thereby restoring the area to its previous status of lake.

PATHETIC CONDITION OF LAKE

Over the past few decades, the encroachers have abused the lake, filled it with debris, constructed an illegal building on it, and reduced the water body into a swamp!  

LAKE THREATENED BY ILLEGAL BBMP ROAD PROJECT:  Ineptitude, dereliction or corruption of BDA? 

In its RMP 2015 Land Use Map, the BDA has not even included this lake.  In its stead, it has included an Illegal 80 feet Road project from Varthur Kodi Road (SH35) to ITPL Main Road, passing through Holy Cross and Athashri Road, violating the Pattandur Agrahara Lake and it's buffer zone. This was a serious overlook and grave error by the 'planners'!

Thankfully, in the draft RMP 2031, that mistake has been corrected, and the lake has been shown in the Land Use Maps, and The illegal Road Project has been removed!

Despite this, under pressure of vested interests, the BBMP engineers have been issuing notifications for the construction of this illegal road, which violates the lakebed/lake buffer zone. 

PUBLIC OPPOSITION/PROTESTS:

When BBMP Public Notification was issued in 2017 (REF: EE/RI/M-Pura/PR/09/17-18) the residents of Whitefield held multiple Public Street Protests in 2017 and 2018, with more than 5000 residents joining the protests.  Also, public gathered for a third mass protest on the 5th of June 2022, on World Environment Day!  The earlier two protests were in 2017 and 2018.  In total 3 public protests have been held on the road alongside the lake, and around the lake periphery.

PUBLIC PETITIONS:

A. PUBLIC OBJECTION:

In 2018, more than 1000 residents of the locality signed and submitted a petition to the BBMP, other departments and Public Officials, voicing their opposition to the Road project, because it would congest the locality, besides negatively impacting the environment and violation of lake laws; nobody wants this road project in this area.  Residents said they would be much happier if BBMP spends that money maintaining the existing roads, which are always in disrepair, and ensure that the existing network of roads which is quite sufficient, can be used properly.  Court action was initiated by affected parties such as St Joseph's School, and PILs by resident groups such as Namma Whitefield.  The Govt had then backed off, for a while, and shelved the illegal project.

B. DETAILED PETITION & COMPLAINTS FILED WITH ALMOST 100 OFFICIALS: 

A fresh detailed petition/complaint was addressed to officials from the top to the bottom, all the way to the Prime Minister's office.  The complaint is available on this link:  https://bit.ly/PetitionToPublicServants 

This detailed the entire issue with supporting documents and evidence. 

ILLEGAL ROAD FORMATION RESUMED BY GOVT:

On the 24th of August 2021, a new notification Was issued by the BBMP for land acquisition for this road (REF: BBMP/C.Comm/ PSR(G)/895/21-22) with a slightly modified alignment.  The only difference in the alignment is that it has moved the road from the 'lake bed' to the 'lake buffer zone'.  This is also not permitted under Law. The officials made it sound like a big concession was made. Citizens were not ready to take this nonsense. They insisted on the Rule of Law.  

BBMP launches project in a hurried manner, destroys greenery/catchment areas: 

Obviously  under pressure from higher ups and in a clear case of collusion, the BBMP Major roads launched road formation works in Oct 2021.   

Their actions have been monitored and captured publicly on social media: 

https://x.com/PattandurLake/status/1445724207858401285​   

https://x.com/PattandurLake/status/1472055515643400192

Fresh Interlocutory Application was filed in the High Court of Karnataka, to stay/cancel the illegal road project. 

To bring the matter to the High Court, Namma Whitefield filed an IA, explaining that the destruction of the Lake Buffer Zone, has a bearing on the lake, its catchment and its overall health. 

ORDER ISSUED BY KTCDA TO STOP WORK: 

Eventually, after all this effort, the KTCDA finally stepped in and passed an order asking the BBMP to stop work on the illegal road project, on 5th May 2022:   https://x.com/PattandurLake/status/1527277433585405952 

Consequently, BBMP halted all work on 23rd May 2022:  https://x.com/PattandurLake/status/1529024111883976704 

PROJECT NOT YET CANCELLED:

However, the BBMP has not yet cancelled the project.  Behind the scenes, efforts continue to acquire the lands of the St Joseph's School, which has challenged it in the High Court and obtained  a stay against the acquisition:  https://x.com/PattandurLake/status/1699656861438394762 

 

COLLUSION AND CORRUPTION: 

One of the major reasons why this illegal project was being carried out in such a brazen manner is the interference by state level politicians, former and present ministers, the local MLA, the engineers of BBMP and BDA, all in collusion and connivance.  

An open letter was also issued chiding the local MLA who repeatedly kept supporting the violation of laws:   https://x.com/PattandurLake/status/1536685787386769411

Harassment of citizens: 

The connivance was in full public view, when the BBMP went to the extent of misusing the police, apparently under the pressure of politicians and the vested interest groups, by filing an FIR against the leader of our protest movement Sandeep Anirudhan, foisting false sections on obstructing official duty, and inciting of Riots!  Thankfully, the High Court immediately stayed these FIRs. https://x.com/PattandurLake/status/1556190195246333954

 

Silver lining: 

In all of this bad news, the big surprise is that the Govt released a grant of Rs 1 Cr to survey and fence the Pattandur Agrahara Lake on 18th June 2022.  However, no work has commenced to fence the lake yet. 

https://x.com/PattandurLake/status/1539580262656638976

 

Laws that are being violated:  

1. BBMP Circular dated 8/6/2020, does not permit any ROAD or any construction within 30 M of Lake boundaries.
2. BMBP circular dated 19/3/2019 mandating that NGT Rules on Lake Buffer zones and Rajakaluves be followed.  
3. Govt of Karnataka order dated 11-08-2021., ordering protection and clearing of all constructions in Lake Buffer Zones  
4. CONTEMPT of High Court Order dated 15/6/2021 - WP NO.817 OF 2008 (GM-RES-PIL)  
5. Violation of the norms of  CDP:  Comprehensive Development Plan/ RMP:  Revised Master Plan, 2015 :  Refer 4.12 PARK AND OPEN SPACE (P) 4.12.2) Regulations ii) Valley/ drain of Revised Master Plan 2015, BANGALORE, 2007 Volume – III ZONING OF LAND USE AND REGULATIONS (Approved by Govt vide G.O. No UDD 540 BEM AA SE 2004, Dated: 22 – 06 - 2007 as part of the Revised Master Plan 2015)   Lake buffer is a NO DEVELOPMENT ZONE.
6. RMP 2015 regulations Page 39 :  (iii) In case of water bodies a 30.0 m buffer of ‘no development zone’ is to be maintained around the lake (as per revenue records) with exception of activities associated with lake and this buffer may be taken into account for reservation of park while sanctioning plans.
7. NGT Order in 222 of 2014:  Section 1 clearly states that the lake buffer zone is a green zone and no construction zone in letter and spirit.   "Buffer/green zone would be treated as no construction zone for all intent and purposes.
8. Violation of BDA Rules.  
9. The KTCDA Act is explicit that no construction can be allowed in a Lake Buffer Zone.
10. As per Wetland Rule, GoI, physical and chemical integrity cannot be altered and the same is pronounced in judgements including NGT. 
11. No permanent structure can come up in buffer zone (as per NGT - Bellandur and Varthur lake case)
12. The Wetland Rules of the Central Govt do not permit any construction in Lake Buffer Zones. 
13. As shown in the 1876 Village map, the road alignment also violates the Rajakaluve (Storm Water Drains)  and Buffer Zone Laws in RMP 2015, NGT rulings, etc..  

• The Project is ILLEGAL!   

ENVIRONMENTAL AND PLANNING CONCERNS: 

1.  A Road inside the Buffer Zone of the lake will completely destroy the sensitive ecosystem and topography of the lake surroundings and destroy the lake!  In its landmark order, the NGT has stated: "This buffer/green zone would be treated as no construction zone for all intent and purposes. This is absolutely essential for the purposes of sustainable development particularly keeping in mind the ecology and environment of the areas in question." 
2.  Whitefield Area is already Water stressed, and ground water levels have reached on an average 1000 ft depths.  It is already facing acute water problems, and in the coming days it is bound to get worse.  On the other hand, already on existing roads, multiple projects are being developed with Multiple 22 floor towers.   The density of this area is already exceeded its natural capacity.   The construction of a new road, will lead to further unbridled development and create further stress on water supply, and groundwater sources, apart from polluting this water body. 

There is no necessity for the road:  There are 5-6 existing alternative roads between this origin and destination within a KM of this proposed road, making this project completely unnecessary!  The only purpose of this project is mala fide intent to escalate property value of some vested interests along this alignment, with scant regard to the lake ecosystem and planning objectives, and also the degradation of the residential areas that are located alongside. 

WE DEMAND THAT THE ILLEGAL ROAD PROJECT IS SCRAPPED PERMANENTLY!  

LEGAL CHALLENGE TO THE LAKE ENCROACHMENT:

Owing to a citizens movement and multiple PILs from 2017, and consequent Govt legal action, the fake land tribunal order produced by the lake encroacher, was set aside by the Karnataka High Court in July of 2018, restoring the status quo to lake property.  

JUDICIAL DELAYS:

However, for 5 years now, the Advocate General representing the State has not pressed for hearings for final orders in the case.  We citizens have finally got ourselves impleaded (Namma Whitefield) in the case, to ensure hearings take place, and the ends of justice are met. Despite this, hearings are pending for over 5 years, due to the slow pace of the judiciary, and the Judge hearing the case had reserved the case as part heard.

But as the status quo continues, the violations in and around the lake continue, with the revenue authorities and the city authorities refusing to take concrete action, until final orders are passed. 

There is no action by the State to reclaim, restore and revive the lake.   The lake is still lying unprotected and vandalised.

1. Illegal constructions are occupying parts of the lake bed, including private buildings and public infrastructure built by BBMP.  The state has not evicted and removed illegal constructions.
2. Garbage dumping:  The lake has become a dumping ground for garbage and construction and demolition waste, which goes on unchecked.
3. Violations of buffer zone - Violations / Dereliction by BBMP:  The law forbids construction within 30 Meters of the lake boundary.  There are many constructions in the Buffer zone of 30M which is illegal.  Almost 20 new buildings have cropped up in the last 2 years in the lake buffer zone, and an entire private layout has been formed.  There has been no enforcement of laws by the BBMP.  This either speaks of corruption in the way of illegal plan approvals, or construction without approvals.  These illegal violations have not been curbed by the BBMP.
4. There seems to be no mechanism to hold BBMP officials responsible for their omissions / illegal actions?

We citizens demand that

1. The Govt prioritise the rescue and revival of this lake on priority, as a statement of its intent towards the environment and health of lakes of Bengaluru, and act immediately! 
2. The Advocate General be directed to take special interest in the WP No 26097/2018 in the Karnataka HC, to seek early hearing and a final order at the earliest.
3. The BBMP and BDA are directed to permanently quash the Illegal Road project from Varthur Kodi Road (SH35) to ITPL Main Road, passing through Holy Cross and Athashri Road, both due to the environmental law violations, as well as overwhelming opposition from the entire community impacted by the road project. 
4. The govt act immediately on the Petition submitted by Citizens to Public Servants: https://bit.ly/PetitionToPublicServants 

Also required:

1. Immediate Survey, marking of lake boundary, and marking of buffer zone boundary. 
2. Immediate Survey, marking of northern rajakaluve as per 1876 revenue map, rajakaluve buffer zones.
3. Fencing of Lake boundaries.
4. Eviction and removal of constructions on lake and lake buffer zone, rajakaluve and rajakaluve buffer zones.
5. Preparation of Detailed Project Report for restoration.
6. Allotment of funds for revival.
7. Execution!

If funds are not available, we citizens will arrange CSR funds for it's revival, but we request the State to secure the lake and fulfil its duty, immediately!   We have waited 40 years!  We wont wait any more! 

RESTORE THE PATTANDUR AGRAHARA LAKE IMMEDIATELY! 

-----------------------------------

CALL TO ACTION - TWEET Public Servants

Tweet 1:  https://ctt.ac/jSQnJ ​

Tweet 2:  https://ctt.ac/0MKPb

-----------------------------------

Follow on Social Media:

Facebook:  @SavePattandurAgraharaLake
Twitter:  @PattandurLake  
Instagram:  @SavePattandurAgraharaLake   

Shortcut to petition:  change.org/SavePattandurAgraharaLake