Demolition operation by BDA sends panic waves

The demolition operation by the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) to recover its 2 acre-2 gunta-lands on survey number 27 sends panic waves in residents. The operation began on the small sheds on vacant sites and suddenly abandoned by noon. But residents, who are mostly senior citizens, fear the worst. The contradicting replies by the officials there also increased their fears. Even their corporator Kodanda Reddy who was on the spot could do nothing.


On rough estimates, there are at least 15 houses and eight vacant sites on this survey number. Majority of the property owners are senior citizens who invested all their savings on the houses. One of the resident asks that how can the BDA say it is theirs when they have documents of property which included a CMC khata, khata extract, plan sanction by then village panchayat, encumbrance certificate and receipts proving the regular property tax payments to the BBMP till the present block period.

However, the local MLA K J George intervened and halts the demolition `for now'. Not happy with this temporary relief, the residents want to seal this issue with the BDA commissioner and their MLA.

Read more: BDA's demolition drive sends panic waves - The Times of India

Join BJP and save your encroachment

BJP worker Narayan Reddy pointing to the multi-storey houses built by Nagaraju on the storm water drain.

Last year, a Congressman named C Nagaraj joined the BJP with his supporters in Limbavali’s presence and saved as many as six buildings he built by encroaching a storm water drain in Channasandra, Whitefield. In fact, BBMP Joint Commissioner (Mahadevpur Sub-Division) Heera Nayak inspected the encroached buildings for demolition on October 24, last year. Portions of these structures were marked and notices were pasted. That very same day, Nagaraju joined BJP in the presence of Minister Limbavali and ensured his buildings were not razed.

Before Nagaraju joined the BJP, Limbavali took great interest in preparing the sketch of storm water drain and getting the order from the local tahsildar to raze all buildings belonging to Nagaraju. Nagaraju joined BJP in the presence of Minister Limbavali and ensured his buildings were not razed. Now, Minister Limbavali is guarding encroachments.

Local BJP politician Narayan Reddy alleges, “The huge storm water drain (about 50 feet wide) was filled with sand at night and buildings were constructed in a short span. Due to encroachment by Nagaraju, drain water is changing course and flowing into houses. When I obtained orders to demolish these structures Nagaraju joined our party. Since then, BBMP officials are giving one or the other excuse and not going ahead with demolition. Their latest excuse is that there are many encroachments on the storm water drain and public are opposing any attempt to tear down the illegal structures. Actually, Nagaraju is the only encroacher on the storm water drain.”

These houses are on a storm water drain which passes through survey numbers 124, 128, 129, 130, 131 and 132. These survey numbers are government property. Nagaraju not only built these houses, he has also sold them. When Reddy refused to stay quiet, Limbavali reportedly came to his house and asked him not to make an issue as Nagaraju had now become a party worker.The minister’s U-turn forced Reddy to complain to the Lokayukta and the chief minister’s office (CMO) about BBMP’s refusal to raze encroachments. Lokayukta has already started an investigation and the CMO has directed the BBMP to look into the matter.

Nagaraju is the only encroacher on the storm water drain. He not only built these houses by encroaching a storm water drain but also sold them. Reddy alleges due to encroachment by Nagaraju, drain water is changing course and flowing into houses. Now Limbavali is guarding encroachments and BBMP officials are giving one or the other excuse and not going ahead with demolition.

Courtesy: bangaloremirror.com