Illegal Road Construction on Yele Mallappa Shetty Lake Reaches NGT

An unauthorised concrete road being built across the bed of Yele Mallappa Shetty Lake has triggered complaints from local residents and landed before the southern bench of the National Green Tribunal. The illegal construction, executed using heavy machinery, was allegedly designed to provide access to newly emerging residential layouts, apartment complexes, and industrial sheds in the surrounding area.

According to a memo filed before the green court by local resident Jagan Kumar J, large volumes of construction debris, stones, and municipal garbage have been dumped directly into the water body. The filings allege that these blockages have led to a severe shrinkage of the lake's water spread area and accuse authorities of delaying enforcement against the violations.

The illegal activity occurred in a section of the lake under the jurisdiction of the Minor Irrigation Department. Officials stated that the issue was identified during a spot inspection alongside local residents, following which the work was halted and a First Information Report was registered at the Avalahalli Police Station. The identity of the individuals or entities behind the construction remains under investigation.

A Minor Irrigation Department official noted that the wet mix laid along the periphery of the lake was partially removed, with remaining portions scheduled for clearance. However, local lake activist and resident Balaji Raghotham Bali stated that while work was halted last week with departmental intervention, construction activity has only been partially stopped.

To prevent further encroachments, the Minor Irrigation Department has approached the Deputy Commissioner to explore fencing the portion of the lake bed under its purview. Department officials indicated that fencing plans face complications due to an adjacent graveyard and demands from some locals for a 20-foot road through the lake.

Encroachments and maintenance of Yele Mallappa Shetty Lake were previously brought before the NGT in 2021. The tribunal had directed authorities to protect the water body, complete underground sewage networks and sewage treatment plants by December 2027, and mandated the Revenue Department to survey and remove unauthorised encroachments.