Pattandur Agrahara Lake under threat: AAP

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru was popularly known as city of lakes, but the pressures of rapid development took a heavy toll on its water bodies. The greed to make a quick buck and the builder-politician nexus caused irreversible damage to many lakes in the city.

Aam Aadmi Party leaders and a civic activist highlighted the alleged irregularities in Pattandur Agrahara Lake near Whitefield. They claimed that the lake has been encroached upon and alleged the involvement of MLAs, current and former ministers as well as BBMP officials.

AAP Bengaluru President Mohan Dasari, Political Activity Unit President Chennappa Gowda, AAP’s Mahadevapura unit President Ashok Mruthyunjaya and Civic Activist Sandeep Anirudhan explained about the irregularities.

Gowda said, “A firm called Embassy group has been attempting to encroach upon the lake and build a road in its vicinity under the supervision of former minister K.J. George. This will lead to disruption in the flow of water into the lake,” he said

Mruthyunjaya claimed that a set of fake documents were created about forty years ago to encroach upon the lake. “After the matter went to court and the documents were confiscated, the road project was announced in 2017. The 980-metre road will encroach upon both the buffer zone and the Rajakaluve,” he said.

Mruthyunjaya wondered if elected representatives find it more important to help a few real estate firms than to ensure water security for the residents.

Sandeep Anirudhan expressed concern about the worsening water situation in the city. He said buffer zones were important in keeping a lake alive. He claimed that he had submitted a petition with over 1,000 signatures opposing the project.