Maheshwaram: Suroni lake shrinks as land sharks encroach

Maheshwaram: The encroachment of lands near lakes and streams is going unabated in the district. The land sharks are illegally setting up layouts in these areas and minting crores of rupees by selling them.

According to sources, the land grabbers have encroached upon the premises of Suroni lake, spread in 55.05 acres in Tukkuguda Municipality limits, and established the layouts and further started construction in the layouts without obtaining the No Objection Certificate from the government.

Due to the negligence of officials, the land sharks are able to encroach upon the lands near the lake where the value of land per acre is more than Rs 5 crore. According to Water, Land and Trees (WALTA) Act, 30 meters area around the lake should be termed as the buffer zone and no construction should be allowed there. However, defying the Act many land grabbers have occupied the lake space and setting up illegal layouts.

On July 13, the Irrigation department officials have submitted a report regarding the encroachment of the Suroni lake and streams. But the officials have kept mum with no action initiated against the land grabbers. Meanwhile, people have alleged that many officials are hand in glove with the land grabbers and taking no action against them for encroaching the lands.