The Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) has transferred the maintenance of as many as 60 lakes to BBMP, as the BDA maintains that it does not have sufficient money to do so.
Rakesh Prakash reports for The Times of India that the directive, transferring the responsibility of maintenance of 60 out of the total 91 lakes to BBMP, was issued on November 17.
This includes Bellandur and Varthur lakes too.
In its defence, the BDA cited the lack of funds - more than Rs 2000 crore required for the maintenance of all 91 lakes, as the reason for its decision.
According to the report, BDA has transferred 26 out of the 117 lakes under its purview in the last four years, to the BBMP. Of the remaining 91 lakes, 60 lakes have now come under BBMP’s ambit.
The move has raised eyebrows as the BDA is currently associated with the controversial steel flyover project, at an estimated budget of Rs 2100 crore.
However, urban development department officials dismissed all speculation and said the move was to ensure that the BDA could focus on bigger infrastructure projects.
“Apart from forming layouts and completing ongoing work on Outer Ring Road, BDA has not accomplished any new noteworthy infrastructure project in the past couple of years. Now that BDA has mooted the steel flyover project, it doesn't want to be burdened with lake maintenance, which requires more funds,” an official was quoted as saying.
However, BDA officials reportedly maintained that the decision to transfer the maintenance of the lakes has nothing to do with the steel flyover project.
Citing that the BBMP does not have “surplus funds,” an official told TOI that the decision will be practical only if the government releases funds for lake development. He added that the BBMP will collaborate with residents’ welfare associations and corporates for the maintenance of water bodies.