BENGALURU: All structures that have come up on live storm water drains (SWD) or rajakaluves, whether they be malls or apartment complexes, will be demolished, asserted Law and Parliamentary Affairs minister TB Jayachandra on Wednesday. He also refuted allegations that big influential builders have been spared while middle-class families lost their houses in the ongoing demolition drive.
Speaking to reporters after the cabinet meeting, Jayachandra said that the state government is bound to implement the 2011 order of Karnataka High Court and the recent order of National Green Tribunal to clear encroachments on SWDs.
Jayachandra, who is also the minister for minor irrigation, disclosed that he had recently ordered BBMP authorities to initiate proceedings for demolition of an apartment complex built by the Prestige Group near Bellandur Lake. He said the complex obstructs the path of a huge SWD that is part of the state government’s ambitious `1,300-crore project to channelise treated sewage and storm water flowing in Challaghatta valley to the irrigation tanks in Kolar and Chikkaballapur districts.
When asked about delay in taking action against Orion Mall near Rajajinagar, which is also alleged to have come up on an SWD, Jayachandra assured that he would respond to the allegations after gathering details.
Refuting allegations that influential builders have been spared and middle-class families have been made the victims of the ongoing demolition drive, Law Minister T B Jayachandra said all structures that have come up on live storm water drains will be razed.
“I was shocked to see that the SWD which is about 100ft wide all along narrowing down to just about 10ft near Bellandur lake where a Prestige apartment has come up. I immediately instructed officials to initiate action against the builders,” he added.
Reacting to the minister’s charge, Irfan Razack, CMD of Prestige Group said the company is open to scrutiny. “We are completely unaware of which building is being referred to. We are always open to getting ourselves scrutinized and audited at any point in time. We move forward with the assurance that our stand will be vindicated and we will come out clean as always,’’ he said.
Jayachandra allayed the fears of people who have constructed houses in layouts that have come up on lake beds and near SWDs. Confusion arose due to lack of coordination between officials of revenue department, BDA, BBMP and planning department, he said. He assured action against complaints about some officials collecting money from people after misleading them that their structures are on SWDs.