BENGALURU: The anti-encroachment drive by the BBMP fizzled out following a hue and cry raised by the public on survey authentication and bulldozing of small houses. Though the BBMP had made tall claims that all the encroachments on drains, irrespective of whether they belonged to the poor or influential people, will be demolished, the BBMP is now playing safe.
The BBMP authorities now claim priority will be accorded to encroachment on live and active drains and not on the dead ones or those which do not connect to other drains. The BBMP authorities say that the focus would be more on identifying the flood prone areas and to encroachments on drains which basically connect other major storm water drains or lakes. The BBMP had sought four months time from the high court to clear entire encroachments on these drains and to form new concrete drains. For the civic body clearing encroachments and debris have become a major challenge. In addition, it is earning the wrath of public for bulldozing the houses the poor and middle class. Not a single major building or structure built by reputed builder has been demolished, they point out. Amaresh, an RTI activist questioned the way the BBMP is taking forward the demolition drive. After it came to light that actor Darshan’s house and hospital owned by former minister Shamanur Shivashankarappa were built after encroaching drains, BBMP officials seem to have gone into a tizzy. They are now taking their own time to submit the survey report.
On the other hand they went on rampage at Avani Sringerinagar, Doddabommasandra and Kasavanahalli. How could surveyors, who did a job then and are now perpetually extending deadlines, he questioned.
High Court disposes of NBF plea
The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday disposed of a PIL filed by Rajeev Chandrasekhar, MP and promoter of Namma Bengaluru Foundation (NBF), seeking accountability of officers in the light of the ongoing demolitions, and for launching criminal prosecution against erring officials. The division bench headed by Chief Justice S.K. Mukherjee directed that a representation be made by NBF to the Chief Secretary to arrive at a mechanism for prosecution of officials and builders, with the list of various offences.
