"Media reports alleging ISRO/DOS encroach lake beds of Bangalore incorrect"

"A few articles have been noticed recently in the print media, alleging ISRO/DOS as one of the encroachers of lake beds and reserve forest land in Bangalore.  As such news may create misapprehension among the public, ISRO/DOS hereby clarifies that those news items are incorrect," an ISRO statement claimed.

 

"Being a Government of India Department, ISRO/DOS shall occupy any/ and,only after due legal and statutory procedures for purchase /allotment stipulated by the State Governments. In respect of the land occupied by Department of Space / ISRO at Nagasettyhalli and Geddalahalli villages, it is clarified that these lands were allotted to Department of Space (ISRO) by Government of Karnataka for housing the Secretariat of Department of Space/ISRO Headquarters at Bangalore after due proceedings of Government of Karnataka in the early 80s," the sttament said. 

 

Regarding the purchase of 24 acres of land at Jalahally, Peenya from HMT, ISRO clarified that this transaction was fully approved by the statutory bodies and khata assigned by BMP in 1998.  

 

"It is also clarified that ISRO/DOS being a Government of India Department  working for public interest, will not indulge in activities of encroachment of lakebeds and forest lands," it said.