AN ILLEGAL colony being developed in the catchment area of Bilawali Lake right under the nose of civic authorities was discovered during a mayoral inspection tour to review capacity enhancement of the water body.
The lake’s storage capacity is to be enhanced by increasing Bilawali depth up to two feet. The project is being carried out with public participation as part of the Jalabhishek campaign.
When Mayor Dr Uma Shashi Sharma and Municipal Commissioner reached the Lake to review the work they were dumbfounded to discover that part of the catchment area was being colonised by builder Hemant Aggarwal.
The colonisation work had progressed considerably and several roads had already been laid in the encroached area. Infuriated at the blatant transgression, the Mayor ordered IMC engineering department officials to immediately dig out the roads.
Work on the lake deepening is advancing at a rapid pace, thanks to the interest displayed by residents. An inhabitant of New Rani Bagh has already undertaken to excavate 200 truckfulls of mud from Bilawali. The IMC has urged farmers to cart off the fertile black soil for use in their fields.
Meanwhile, the proposed relocation of squatters encroaching on nullahs continues to hang fire. The Corporation, which a month ago announced with much fanfare that illegal inhabitants would be removed within a fortnight, now seems to have lost all interest in the exercise.
{{/usCountry}}Meanwhile, the proposed relocation of squatters encroaching on nullahs continues to hang fire. The Corporation, which a month ago announced with much fanfare that illegal inhabitants would be removed within a fortnight, now seems to have lost all interest in the exercise.
{{/usCountry}}Queried about the relocation MiC member in-charge of Health Department passed the buck to the Nazul Department and the IDA blaming them for failing to identify encroachments and making available rehabilitation sites respectively.