BENGALURU: After a 15-year-old boy was washed away in a storm water drain (SWD) near Manyata Tech Park on October 7, the BBMP has submitted a prima facie report accusing the Park authorities of altering the Raja Kaluve and affecting the natural flow of rainwater.
BBMP Joint Commissioner Sarfaraz Khan said that during the investigation, it was found that the Raja Kaluve had been diverted to suit the needs of the tech park without getting the permission of the civic body. Tech park authorities have also not strengthened the drains to carry large volumes of water, he said.
The report has been submitted to the BBMP Commissioner and the chief engineer of storm water drain division. “If the survey detects any encroachment, the BBMP will recover the cost incurred for repair, removal of encroachment and the men and material employed for two days to search for the boy’s body. Tech Park authorities will also have to pay compensation to the family of the deceased,” Mr Khan said.
The BBMP had written to the Survey Department seeking a survey of the Raja Kaluve, from Thanisandra to Manyata Tech Park to determine extent of diversion and encroachment, if any. But due to a shortage of manpower, no survey was taken up. Manyata Tech Park promoters refused to comment on the alleged diversion of the drain.
Sources said that the BBMP authorities with the help of surveyors have assessed the extent of encroachments of lakes and submitted a report to the higher-ups for their removal. But as this is a sensitive issue, the Palike authorities have asked Bengaluru Development Minister K.J. George to hold a meeting to chalk out a strategy for eviction.
The Palike does not need to issue notices to the encroachers before demolishing the properties, but still the BBMP will issue such notices and hold a hearing with those who would be affected. This could prevent them from approaching the court to seek a stay, sources said.
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