Bengaluru: With an eye on upcoming BBMP polls and in an effort to please urban voters, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is contemplating on regularising houses built on BDA land and said he was seeking the opinion of law department.
After the city rounds to check the infrastructure progress in the city on Sunday, Mr Siddaramaiah told reporters that thousands of houses have cropped up and government is suffering a revenue loss. Of the 3,699 acres belonging to the BDA, unauthorized constructions have taken place at the rate of 18 houses per acres.
As per this estimate, 66,500 houses or sites will qualify for regularization and government too will get a good quantum of revenue, he said.
There have been huge encroachments on BDA Layouts. BDA had refrained from awarding these properties to anyone due to issues in getting basic infrastructure like water, electricity. But these were eventually regularized. Interestingly, the occupants too have agreed to pay the necessary fines and are willing to come under the regulation in order to get the required title deeds.
The Chief Minister visited prominent places in the city and intermittent rains played spoiler.
At Freedom Park
Around 10.40 am, the CM, along with other political leaders and bureaucrats, reached Freedom Park, where he inspected the soon-to-be implemented multilevel car parking.
Mr. Siddaramaiah said, “The parking will be underground and on three levels.” His next visit was to Lalbagh, where he inspected the entire park and spoke with various officials from the Horticulture Department, suggesting that they increase the attractions. He also took a sneak peek at the maintenance. There has been a request from the Horticulture Department to increase the ticket rates from '10 to '20, which the CM promised to look into. A park official said, “The money that we collect from the tickets goes into the maintenance of the park. We are hardly left with any funds for other developmental activities in the park.”
There is also a proposal to construct a clock tower. The CM said, “I have sent the proposal to the architecture department.”
Citizens unhappy
Citizens remain unsatisfied with basic amenities and unappeased by the CM's visits as they say he hardly interacts with people not does he make an effort to understand their problems.
The CM spent around 10 minutes at MM Road Hospital while residents and members of Richards Town residents’ welfare association fumed at the attitude of the government. A woman who refused to be named said, “We are the people who have been here and know the issues pertaining to the hospital. He should speak to us if he really wants to find out the real problems.”
Voicing a similar opinion. R T Ponnukuttan, a resident, said, “This is one of the oldest hospital, it was built in 1909. We need good equipment and infrastructure here.”
However, after his visit, the CM said that he would make provisions to build another high-tech hospital to help the residents of this locality and this hospital will continue to serve as a PHU.
As the CM reached DG Halli, he garlanded a statue of Ambedkar and waved at his followers. While onlookers were furious as they did not get any opportunity to present their problems. Ramesh Katari said, “There are innumerable problems here, from traffic jams, bad roads to encroachment on the footpath. The CM has to be on the ground to understand the reality. There has been a proposal for road widening for a long time, but nothing has materialized till now.”
On this issue, the CM confirmed, “There is a proposal for road widening. A lot of buildings have to be acquired as it is a thickly populated area. TDR is being prepared as of now, soon it will be decided.”
As he visited KHB quarters in Lingarajapuram, residents voiced their problems pertaining to water, electricity. The CM assured them that he will direct BWSSB and BESCOM to look into the matter.
The CM then visited a Sai Baba Temple at Kacharakanahalli and discussed the development programmes needed in the locality with Home Minister George.
Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy said, “This area used to be a lake before, known as Kacharakanahalli lake. There is a provision in an act under which we can delete the existence of a lake and then take up developmental activities like constructing a park and playground. We will take this matter to the cabinet.”
The CM pointed out that there are huge traffic jams being complained about by residents near Kammanahalli flyover and there is a demand for an underpass, which will be considered.
Again, after the demolition of Banaswadi commercial complex, people are living in fear of razing of their houses. The CM assured that no such initiative will be taken up.
Rain plays spoilsport
As the CM arrived for the inspection of Kadugondanahalli mineral water plant, it started pouring with rain and he had to leave the spot immediately. The CM also had to cancel his visits to Jayanagar Shopping Complex, Slaughter House in Tannery Road and Banaswadi Lake.
