A flyover right on top of a drain in Bengaluru

Bengaluru: While ordinary people are losing their properties as  the BBMP continues its demolition drive to clear encroachments over drains and lake beds to prevent flooding in rain,  it is ironically, itself building a Rs 35 crore flyover right over a drain in Padmanabhanagar.

After years of delay, work on the Kittur Rani Channamma flyover began in Padmanabhanagar in December 2013. Going by a top official, when the flyover was approved in 2010, the BBMP  decided to ‘acquire’ the storm water drain and the project proposal was prepared making the SWD a part of it.

“Eventually, the drain area was partially diverted and temporarily blocked, preventing the flow of rain water from  Ganesh Mandir and Banashankari wards, which rely on it to keep their roads free of waterlogging. But with the drain now blocked they often see flooding in heavy rain,” said the officer.

The worst affected is a KEB office situated right opposite the encroached drain, according to him. Being in a low lying area and with no outlet for the water that accumulates in its grounds, it is often flooded in rain, he says.

“A spot inspection revealed that the flooding was due to the drain being encroached on for the flyover and make-shift arrangements were made to drain out  the rain water,” said an engineer of the city’s south zone, confirming the plight of the people owing to the BBMP’s violation of its own rules.

Darshan’s property: Updated maps awaited
Rajarajeshwari Nagar Joint Commissioner, Veerbhadrappa said they were waiting for the superimposed map of the area to see if  actor  Darshan’s house or minister, Shivashankarappa’s  hospital were encroaching on drains . “We will take action depending on the contents of the map. We are guessing at least 20 houses will have to be demolished,” he added.

No fresh demolitions
While there were no fresh demolitions on Saturday, the Rajarajeshwari Nagar zone officials continued the drive begun on Friday, razing 12 properties to the ground and recovering 7.5 guntas of land near Bheemanakunte Kere.

MLA could lose part of his hotel
The BBMP is reportedly not only targeting the properties of actor Darshan and Congress leader, Shamanur Shivashankarappa , but also Hotel Pai Vaibhav on Siddaiah Road, owned by Chickpet MLA R.V. Devaraj and three partners. A portion of the hotel encroaching upon a 5 ft wide storm water drain could be demolished on Monday, according to official sources.

“We will use a special diamond cutting machine to bring down the encroaching portion,” said an official. Meanwhile, the owner of Shabari Residency, another hotel on Siddaiah Road, has offered to himself remove the offending section encroaching on a drain.  Hotel owner, Mr Raju said  he had recently brought it on the basis of clearances given by  the BBMP. “Now, I am losing a portion of the building. Who should be blamed for this?” he demanded angrily.