Firm laying power cables on Varthur lakebed, say residents

An infrastructure company is laying power transmission cables on the Varthur lakebed, local residents say.

Megha Infrastructure, a pipeline contractor, was laying power transmission lines on the Varthur lakebed when locals confronted it, demanding permission from the Karnataka Lake Development and Conservation Authority (KLCDA). Men from the contractor confronted the residents.

"Laying power transmission lines is a clear violation of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) orders. We asked the company representatives whether they have taken the KLCDA's approval. Instead of showing the order, they confronted us," Jagadish Reddy Nagappa, a resident, said.

KLCDA Chief Executive Officer Seema Garg confirmed no permission was granted to the company for laying cables. "We've asked residents to file a formal complaint against the company to enable us to take action," she added.