Children, senior citizens and youths stood on HRBR main road as earth movers pulled down
A demolition drive underway at the Banaswadi lake bed in Bengaluru. In one of the biggest operations in city, many unauthorized houses, apartments, offices and shops were razed.
BENGALURU: HRBR Layout in Banaswadi resembled an earthquake hit area on Sunday as the BDA earth movers flattened 90 structures, allegedly built on Banasawadi lake bed area. For HRBR residents the weekend turned out to be nightmare, as many had allegedly built houses on the disputed land.
Children, senior citizens and youths stood on HRBR main road as earth movers pulled down at least 90 structures, including three huge buildings, mostly commercial ones.
Those residing in disputed structures were told to vacate and the encroached portions were marked. The residents cried foul stating that the BDA authorities have not been transparent and are not ready to share with the re-survey details. Although the lake encroachment happened on survey number 211, the properties demolished are located on survey number 247.
Actually, the layout developed by the BDA is right in the middle of the lake and that should have been demolished first, said G.M. Narayanappa, resident of Kalyan Nagar. About five metres of the houses on one side have been either marked for demolition or damaged. The residents have been warned to cut down the encroachment portion or the authorities would be forced to demolish it abruptly and collect demolition charges from them.
Many of us have lived here for the last three decades. We have not seen any water in the lake. Why should the government build 80 feet wide roads in the lake bed areas? Why the officials of BBMP, revenue department and BDA not be punished? And why are gullible people subjected to this unbearable punishment, Narayanappa questioned.
“Our advocate checked the notice issued by the KR Puram tahasildar. It only asked to furnish property details and not mentioned about demolition. How can the authorities demolish without any notice,” questioned another resident S. Dinesh. Although the MLA and Minister K.J. George represents the constituency, he has not even met the public for courtesy sake, he added.
Relief for residents?
Harish Naik, KR Puram (East) tahasildar said that demolition of commercial structures would be completed by Monday evening. The residential buildings are not being touched. However, the details of the encroachments have been furnished to the government. The authorities are only abiding by the Supreme Court order. The urban development department, revenue department and the government would take a decision. Till such time, the residential buildings will not be touched, Naik added.
Stay order
Some houses were not touched by the earth movers as the owners had acquired a stay order from the court. Sensing a threat some residents had approached the court and obtained stay against demolition.
K.V. Subramaniyan, resident of HRBR Layout said that although the lake area falls under survey number 211 the authorities demolishing properties falling under survey number 247. “Despite furnishing the property details I don’t understand why the authorities are hell bent on demolishing the houses. Why should the authorities issue the building plan and provide all other civic amenities if the lake is encroached upon. Hence, a few of the residents have obtained the stay order on demolition,” he said. But how long will the stay be valid is the question haunting these residents.
Fire station gets notice!
It is not just the commercial complexes and houses that got eviction notice, even the Banasawadi fire station was not spared. Harish Naik, tahasildar (East) confirmed that notice has been sent to fire station. However, the government will take a call on its fate. Fire force staff, however, said that the revenue department, lake development authority and BDA have earlier granted permission to build the fire station.
BDA sites too marked
If you though houses built on BDA allotted sites were immune to such demolition drives, think again. About 222 residents, who had built houses on BDA allotted sites, are facing demolition threat on charges of encroaching upon the Banasawadi lake area.
D.S. Rajshekar, President of Federation of Bengaluru North East residents’ welfare associations said that memorandum has been given to all the authorities. The residents would meet chief minister and update him about the situation and ask what was their fault? After all they had bought BDA allotted sites.
( Source : dc correspondent )
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