BENGALURU: WITH the Joint Director of Surveys conducting surveys near lakebed areas as per the new buffer zone guidelines, more properties are likely to be razed.
Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Joint Commissioner (Bommanahalli zone) Muniraju said that so far, they have cleared about 25 properties, including vacant sites that were encroached.
“At present, we have stopped the demolition. Once the authorities of Joint Director of Surveys complete the survey and submit the report, we will proceed and demolish properties. More properties will be demolished,” he said. A senior BBMP official said the buffer zone has been increased from 30 to 75 metres. “There are chances officials might have given fresh approval for these places. We need to check and demolish them,” he said.
Drive on till all encroachments are cleared: CM
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday made it clear that the demolition drive in the city will continue till encroachments in all storm water drains are cleared. “There is no question of halting the drive till our storm water drainage network is restored. Nobody has approached me so far seeking any help to stop the drive and I am not expecting anyone to do so,” he said.
“Who is involved in encroachment does not matter, whether he is big or not or whether it is J P Nagar or any other area. Our aim is to remove all encroachments on a war-footing,” he added.
Asked about BDA layouts that have come up onlake beds in the city, he said the layouts were formed in lakes that were completely dried up. “For instance, Majestic bus stand is built on the famous Kempambudhi lake and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) building was constructed on Miller Tank bed. If we are going to remove all structures on the lake beds, then we have to clear more than 1 lakh structures,” he said.