The residents of Horamavu, Hoysalanagar, Jayanthinagar, and surrounding areas are appealing to the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) authorities not to allow construction of buildings at the buffer zone near Jayanthinagar Lake as the land is not suitable for the construction of buildings.
The residents said the construction work began two years ago and came to a halt within a few days.
“We are told that Rajiv Gandhi Housing Corporation has taken up construction of residential quarters for economically weaker families. We are worried about the safety of buildings if completed, and the people who might reside in those residential quarters. It will be useful if the authorities concerned find a suitable location for the construction of flats,’’ said Lakshman Nayak, a resident of Hoysala Layout.
According to VP Krishna, founder of KR Puram Constituency Welfare Association, the land on which the construction of a multi-storied apartment complex is proposed is not suitable for the construction of structures as it is a buffer zone of the lake. “We do not want the Babusapalya incident to recur at Jayanthinagar. We have already written a letter to the BBMP Chief Commissioner on this issue,’’ said VP Krishna.
He said the dry waste collection centre, which was constructed and operated under the CSR initiative and remained locked for the last three to four years, should be utilised for public purposes. “We want the BBMP authorities to convert the defunct dry waste collection centre into a yoga centre. We can maintain the yoga centre for the benefit of residents,’’ he said.
Expressing a similar opinion, Nageshwara Rao R, a resident of Horamavu, demanded the BBMP authorities stop the construction of buildings on the buffer zone of the lake. “I have seen workers using water pumps to drain water from the construction site while laying the foundation. I want the BBMP authorities to stop the construction work as it is not advisable to construct a building at the buffer zone of the water body,’’ said Nageshwara Rao.
Stating that the defunct dry waste collection centre has become an eyesore, Prakash BS, a retired civil engineer, said the structure has become a home for snakes. “It will be useful for the residents if the authorities hand over the defunct dry waste collection centre. I oppose the construction of buildings at the buffer zone of the lake. I want the BBMP Lakes Department to plant more saplings at the buffer zone and convert it into a park for the benefit of senior citizens and children,’’ said Prakash.
The residents said that neither the contractor nor the authorities concerned put up a board with details such as the name of the department, contractor, number of flats, and the cost of the housing project.
The residents want the BBMP authorities to develop a park on the vacant land near Jayanthinagar Government School. The residents wrote a letter to the authorities concerned on August 8, but the authorities are yet to respond to the letter, even three months after receiving the letter, which continues to worry the residents.
