Quite an eventful last couple of weeks... The BBMP Lakes Divn deputed Lake wardens and valiantly prevented any work on the Lake Buffer Zone for almost 10 days. But we knew it was too good to last.... They were under constant pressure from the local MLA Aravind Limbavali's office to withdraw the lake wardens and to allow the construction work of the illegal road to continue. So, while the road is being constructed for vested builder interests of a congress mla, the bjp mla seems to be in support, so the politicians of both the ruling party and the opposition party seem to be in collusion?? Wither democracy??
POLITICAL PARTIES TAKE STAND:
Meanwhile it is heartening to note that two political parties have come out with a clear stand opposing the illegal road project violating lake buffer zone. The first party to issue a public statement was AAM AADMI PARTY : https://twitter.com/PattandurLake/status/1497871009835143170
This was followed by a press release from Bengaluru NavaNirmana Party: https://twitter.com/PattandurLake/status/1500460602812108800
INVESTIGATIONS IN PROGRESS
The Anti corruption Bureau have been making strides in the investigation. After a preliminary investigation, they found prima facie evidence to continue further, hence they have applied for permission from Govt, which they are required to.
The Lokayukta have issued notices to the engineers, and hearing is coming up on 12th April.
Meanwhile, we received a shot in the arm by the publication of an Expert Report: "A REVIEW OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT AND STATUTORY STATUS OF PROPOSED 24-M ROAD, within Lake Buffer Zone of Pattandur Agrahara Lake 54 & connecting Rajakaluve and Rajakaluve Buffer Zone in Whitefield, Bengaluru"
The report makes it clear in no uncertain terms that the project is a mistake, that the RMP 2015 is flawed and filled with errors, the zoning is wrong, the lake is missing, etc.,. and goes on to recommend that the road needs to be scrapped from RMP 2015, and measures are to be taken to protect the lake, rajakaluve and the buffer zones of both.
Please read full report here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-8vYNhHFszXf2QJZpYZ3dllSzmNWk_FU/view
Cat and Mouse games:
It is still unclear to the BBMP authorities as to who really ought to be protecting the Lake Buffer Zone. The Ward Engineers say the Lake Engineers have to protect it, while the Lake Engineers who protected it for 10 days were asked to retreat within the lake boundaries, and now say that the Ward Engineers have to protect it.
So, now we have issued letters to all Ward and Zone Engineers to protect the lake buffer zone and rajakaluve buffer zone. We have submitted the letter acknowledgements to the ACB, Lokayukta and the courts.
Cant a city govt like BBMP get even these simple things straight? Cant they keep it simple and have a single dept in charge of all wetland assets, such as lakes and lake buffer zones, rajakaluve and rajakaluve buffer zones, and all other wetlands as well. Why have multiple depts and multiple jurisdictions to create confusion?
More action coming up:
We have filed and IA in the Lake Case ongoing in the High Court of Karnataka, seeking a stay on the road project. Hearing is listed for Fri, 1st April 2022.
We hear also that many other parties are readying to file multiple petitions against the road project in various fora.... and some public actions are also being planned... maybe protests, maybe more... More the merrier!
To people's power!!!
JAI HIND! JAI PARISARA! JAI PARYAVARAN!