Bengaluru: Realty's big fish land in Koliwad net

Belagavi: The House panel on encroachment of lakes has named the who's who of the state's realty sector, and recommended the government to file cases in special 'land grabbers' court against all firms which have constructed multi-storied buildings on encroached land.  

The report, tabled in the Assembly on Tuesday, has identified as many as 70 real estate firms including Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprise (NICE). These firms should be tried in special land grabbers' courts in order to thwart their attempts to secure a stay or injunction in other courts, says the panel headed by Speaker K.B. Koliwad, adding that an estimated 10, 785 acres in Bengaluru (Urban) and Bengaluru (rural) precincts could be cleared of encroachments if the government acts promptly on the report.

The panel, has however, suggested collection of fines from dwellers of high-rise buildings constructed on encroached land rather than evict them as such stringent action would render thousands of families homeless. The fine amount could be pooled into the lake development fund for revival of scores of dry lakes in Bengaluru.

Blue Zone coming soon?

• The report identifies as many as 70 builders and real estate magnates like Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises (NICE), Bagmane Tech Park, EnzimeTech Park, Brigade developers, Adarsha developers, Prestige developers, Shobha apartments, Oasis apartments in the list of encroachers.
• The report recommends  creation of a “Blue Zone” on the lines of Green Zone and formation of an independent Authority headed by an officer Additional Chief Secretary to protect existing lakes in and around Bengaluru.