Bengaluru: The Karnataka Urban Development Department plans to have exclusive squad for Bellandur Lake to keep an eye on those who dump debris into the lake.

“We have decided to constitute a special squad for Bellandur Lake to keep a vigil on those who dump debris into the lake,’’ Mahendra Jain, Additional Chief Secretary, Urban Development Department said.

As per the plan, the Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA) has to depute home guards to Bellandur Lake to prevent people dumping debris.

“The BDA has special division to look after the lakes in Bengaluru. We come into the picture whenever there is law and order problem. Police will visit Bellandur Lake if it is necessary. As of now, I have not received any direction from Bengaluru Commissioner of Police in this regard,’’ M Narayana, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Whitefield Division, said.

Meanwhile, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) had installed four CCTVs to monitor the weeding of Bellandur Lake and keep an eye on those who dump debris into it.

“We have requested private building owners around Bellandur Lake to allow us to install CCTVs on their buildings. Our intention is to keep the CCTVs at safe places,’’ Sarfaraj Khan, Joint Commissioner (Solid Waste Management), BBMP, said.

The BBMP authorities have pulled up their socks to prevent Bellandur Lake from being polluted or misused.

“We have suspended Ravindra, health inspector, BBMP and collected a penalty of Rs 5 lakh from one building contractor for dumping debris into the lake,’’ Sarfaraj Khan said.
The weeding of Bellandur Lake is progressing at a snail’s pace. The BDA has so far cleared weeds in 10 acres out of total 900 acres of Bellandur Lake.

“The weed, once collected, can be used in many ways. It can be used for composting, biogas and fodder,’’ P N Nayak, Engineer Member, BDA said.

However, residents are not happy with the progress in weeding of Bellandur Lake.

“The authorities have engaged three earth moving machines but two of them got stuck in the lake. The authorities have not taken any measures either to take them out or deploy additional earth moving machines,’’ Asha Sharma, a resident of Bellandur.

The residents have no clue about monitoring of the CCTVs installed around Bellandur Lake.

“So far, the authorities have installed four CCTVs but who will take up the responsibility to monitor these CCTVs. There is no transparency or responsibility among the authorities concerned regarding weeding of Bellandur Lake,’’ Nilofer Khan, a resident of Bellandur, said.

If the ongoing survey of Bellandur Lake is any indication, the authorities have no clear idea of actual size of Bellandur Lake. On Thursday, officials of BDA, BBMP, UDD surveyed Bellandur Lake.

“A proper demarcation of boundaries is also required around the lake,” Ramprasad V, a member of Friends of Lakes, said.

Expressing concern over the lack of safety measures and slow progress of weeding Bellandur Lake, Dr T V Ramachandra, Professor, Energy and Wetlands Research Group, Indian Institute of Science, said the authorities need approximately one year to complete weeding of the lake.
“The workers engaged in weeding of Bellandur Lake were not provided safety gear. I have seen some women washing clothes at Bellandur Lake in spite of authorities putting up fence around the lake,’’ Dr T V Ramachandra said.