BENGALURU: Former corporator and BJP city unit secretary N R Ramesh on Wednesday alleged that land worth Rs 1.20 lakh crore in storm water drains and lakes in the city has been encroached upon.
“As many as 368 builders, 13 politicians and 71 civic officials are involved in the encroachment of 75 per cent of the 1,500 acres of storm water drains and water bodies,” he told reporters, after releasing the encroachers’ names.
Claiming that he had obtained documents on the encroachments through RTI over the last six months, Ramesh said, “I have evidence that 2,300 high-rise complexes which include shopping malls, tech parks, hotels and hospitals were built on storm water drains and ecologically sensitive areas. Some of these buildings are owned by the benamis of politicians. But no action has been initiated against those politicians and builders so far. There should be stringent action against 71 corrupt officials from BBMP and BDA who had given planning permissions to these buildings,” said Ramesh.
“The government is only demolishing the houses of the poor and middle class families but not even a single structure spanning more than 3,500 sq feet has been cleared so far because of political influence,” said Ramesh.
Asked about the violations by BJP men, he said, “If BJP members are involved, they too should be exposed.” Ramesh dared the State government to demolish the “illegal” Dollars Colony near JP Nagar. He alleged that the layout was built over 56.37-acre Linganna Lake and that some ministers and other influential persons had plots there.