BENGALURU: The demolition drive along the city’s storm water drain network has put the focus back on the need for digital transparency — displaying the lake buffer zones and storm water drain alignments online. The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) plans to put up on its website the drain network of the city using Geographic Information System (GIS). This will help people check if the property they plan to buy falls on a stormwater drain network.
BBMP Commissioner N Manjunath Prasad said, “All the documents relating to drains along with a GIS map will be put up on our website. Work is going on towards that end. It will take a few days and we shall make it available to the public soon.”
The commissioner said that before buying a property, a person should approach revenue officers to check if their property falls on stormwater drains. “If they approach the revenue officials, they will get clarity,” he added.
He advised people, who have already bought property in and around stormwater drains, to check with the officials on how to get their properties verified.
“Many people purchased property more than 10 years ago, which means before the formation of BBMP. They were cheated by the then city municipal council officials, who took money and issued khatas for property built on drains. Now that the state government is not giving them any chance to come out of the mess, these people are at the receiving end for no fault of theirs,” a senior official said.
Day 4: Demolition drive continues
Bengaluru: BBMP continued its drive against encroachments on stormwater drains for the fourth day on Tuesday. Officials have started reconstructing the drains where they have removed the encroachments. A BBMP official said, “Our officials are marking buildings that need to be demolished. After demolition, we will rebuild the drains to let rainwater flow easily.” On Tuesday, demolition works were carried out on 20 constructions. So far, 120 constructions have been demolished in Yelahanka, Mahadevapura and Bommanahalli zones. BBMP Commissioner N Manjunath Prasad said they will continue the work at Kasavanahalli, Kaikondanahalli and HRBR Layout among other places.