Bengaluru: Red mark on houses sparks demolition fears

Bengaluru: People living in around 150 structures adjacent to the Bengaluru-Mysuru double track between Kengeri and Nayandahalli stations are now a worried lot.

For the last few days South Western Railway (SWR) officials have marked their structures with numbers in red, sparking rumours of demolition.

However, senior SWR officials have said that they were not aware of any such marking or possible eviction.

According to the residents, who have built small huts out of concrete hollow blocks on the left side of the railway track, officials from SWR have marked their houses in red. "In the whole stretch around 150 structures were marked in red colour,” said a local resident, who wished to remain anonymous.

"We have been living here since decades. But we do not have land records. We do possess BPL cards and avail other facilities extended by the government. We yet to get any info from Railways in this regard," he added. According to the local residents around 1,000 people live in the area, which lacks basic facilities.

"We are not aware of anything like demolition. Only markings have been done. This area is yet to get any basic facilities, including potable water," said Farook, a local resident. "Everyone here is poor and in the event of any demolition drive, the SWR must make alternative arrangement or ensure that the residents are aware of their drive well in advance, so that they can relocate to other places," he said. However, Divisional Railway Manager Sanjiv Agarwal reiterated that he was not aware of any marking or plan for eviction drive.