DC Expose: 50,000 buildings on lakes in Bengaluru

Bengaluru: Beware, residents of Kodichikkanahalli, Puttenahalli, Sarakki, BTM Layout and Arakere. The last week's horror of flooded homes and streets may continue to visit you, year after year as the state government seems more interested in regularising the unauthorised constructions on hundreds of stormwater drains and lakes that caused the floods, than demolishing them, for the ruling party wants its precious vote bank protected.

The pain and grief could have been prevented if only the state government had acted on a report submitted by the Department of Land Records, attached to the Department of Revenue almost a year ago.

Over 350 surveyors drawn from across the state had surveyed over 5,000 lakes in the city and prepared the report, recommending immediate removal of all encroachments. Shockingly, the survey revealed that over 50,000 unauthorised structures had come up near lakes and drains over the last 10 years, without any fear of the law.

With majority of these properties being constructed by lower income group families, which are considered invaluable votes in the ballot box, the state government wants to regularise the buildings and issue them khatas.

A senior officer, on condition of anonymity, pointed out to Deccan Chronicle that the government lacked the will to act strictly against these encroachments. The report is now gathering dust.

The district administration, which is supposed to act tough against encroachers, reportedly advised the government not to remove them as such an exercise would cost the party dear in the BBMP polls.

“If unauthorised structures have come up on tank beds, catchment areas and raja kaluves it is because of sheer irresponsibility of the civic body. BBMP officials are hand-in-glove with land sharks, realtors and developers and don't stop them when the construction of houses and flats are on.”

The officer also alleged, “The House committee on encroachment of tanks, headed by Speaker K.B. Koliwad, is also interested in regularising all the 50,000-plus illegal stru tures. In fact, the committee does not have the powers to issue notices to encroachers as it is the prerogative of the deputy commissioner of Bengaluru Urban district under Section 94 of the Karnataka Land Revenue Act. The committee is yet to take note of the detailed survey report.”

He said, “Legally, the committee should direct the government to ask the deputy commissioner to remove buildings and apartments that have come up on tank beds and in catchment areas. As a delaying tactic, the committee might even order a fresh survey that could take a few more years. By then, the problem of encroachment would have grown even bigger.”