BMTC spent Rs 16 crore on infra at disputed land: CAG report
The BMTC was also told that the property card, survey sketches and khata be submitted to the BBMP for obtaining sanctioned building plan.
BENGALURU: Execution of civil works without obtaining clear title of land by the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) has resulted in idling of assets and blocking of funds to the tune of Rs 16.52 crore, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report has revealed.
The report, a copy of which is available with Deccan Chronicle, states that in an attempt to modernise its services, the BMTC took up construction of bus depots, bus stations, workshops and staff quarters on the disputed lands allotted by the state government at Kodathi near Sarjapur, Madappanahalli in Anekal and at Banashankari.
The allotments, however, were subject to final orders of courts and developments on these lands should have been taken up only after obtaining necessary permission from the authorities concerned. But the cash-strapped BMTC failed to comply with the mandate, which led to the idling of Rs 16.52 crore, it said.
The BMTC was also told that the property card, survey sketches and khata be submitted to the BBMP for obtaining sanctioned building plan. The audit observed that the BMTC failed to comply with allotment conditions and went ahead with constructions which further led to land litigation.
Dispute at Kodathi land: In Kodathi near Banashankari, eight acres of land was allotted to BMTC for the construction of a depot, workshop and staff quarters. But a few people disputed the allotment at the Karnataka High Court and Karnataka Appellate Tribunal. The KAT set aside the allotment order with regard to five acres of land.
But the corporation continued with the construction and incurred a cost of '10.36 crore. After the claimants filed a suit, the civil court granted permanent injunction on the disputed land.