RWA has spoken out against Bangalore Municipal Corporation’s unauthorised road project in Whitefield.

On March 3, the Namma Whitefield Resident Welfare Association Federation filed a complaint with the Lokayukta about an illegal road built in the buffer zone of Pattandur Agrahara Lake.

The project, according to Sandeep Anirudhan, president of the association, violates nearly 15 written laws and is causing contempt to the High Court, which prohibits construction in buffer zones. According to the complaint, the road was built at the request of the real estate and construction mafia.

Citizens claim that building a road in the buffer zone violates the law, is extremely dangerous, and is one of the reasons city lakes are dying.

In 2018, the High Court issued an order emphasising that the land tribunal lacks authority to change the nature and classification of the lake.

“Bengaluru’s lakes have been continuously encroached over the past few years for vested commercial interests, which are frequently supported by corrupt public officials,” said Indira Belde, BNP leader from Mahadevapura zone. “Citizens are not only looking up to BBMP to prevent further encroachments, but also to begin restoring many lakes.” However, the BBMP is involved in illegal projects.”

Murali Govinarajulu, another BNP leader, stated that with water levels in the city constantly dropping, such projects will exacerbate the looming water crisis.

The 80-foot road is being built to alleviate the problems of commuters. ITPL Main Road and Whitefield Main Road will be linked by it. Residents, however, stated that there are alternative roads that could be used to protect the lake.