Re-assertion of rule of law?

Illegal apartment complexes, temples, coconut plantations, temporary sheds, buildings and compounds around Kaggadasapura lake in Varthur hobli will be brought down on Saturday, as the Bangalore Urban district officials will undertake a major eviction drive to clear the encroachments around the lake.

Land worth crores of rupees, to the extent of 3.34 acres, has been encroached upon by 23 influential people, including Bagmane Developers, at 16 places. The officials are preparing for the demolition drive after having obtained the court orders to evict the encroachments.

Bangalore Urban DC G C Prakash said, “We have already informed the Special Task Force and the local police about the drive to remove the encroachments. Except three properties, that have obtained a stay from the court, we will demolish all the other properties that have come on the periphery of the lake”.  Kaggadasapura lake is situated in Survey Number 141 of Kaggadasapura village and survey number 5 of Byrasandra village. Out of 47.04 acres of the lake area, 3.34 acres have been encroached upon and apartment complexes, temporary sheds as well as temples have been erected. While Bagmane Developers compound runs through 13.03 guntas of the lake bed, one Baiyanna has developed a coconut grove in 1.12 acres.

For the full report in the New Indian Express, click here.

When I read the above report, I was not sure this was actually happening. But, the next day's report (excerpts produced below - for the full text, click here) confirmed that the action had indeed been taken.

“Today, we recovered three acres of land that was encroached: a farm in the lake area, six sheds, a house, a compound built by a private tennis academy and 10 guntas encroached by Bagmane Developers were recovered by demolishing the illegal structures. Bangalore Development Authority will develop the walkway at a cost of Rs 8 crore,” said KR Puram East tahsildar Harish.

The lake area is about 50 acres.  It comprises Kaggdasapura survey number 141 and Byrasandra. Authorities had issued notices to residents who were illegally residing on encroached land a few weeks back. Apartments had been built on an acre of the land, and few individuals in surrounding areas got the stay in court. “Other encroachments will be cleared after the stay is vacated,” added Harish.

Bangalore Urban DC G C Prakash said, “Special Task Force, local police, the Revenue Department and BDA officials together removed the encroachments, barring one temple that will be included in the park area, which the BDA is likely to develop. These properties are valued at nearly Rs 20 crore”.

"The Hindu" report had mentioned that "Saturday's action was in compliance with an order passed by the High Court in a PIL filed by the NGO Environment Support Group. - - - He (Bangalore district Deputy Commissioner G.C Prakash) also said that similar action will follow in other parts of the city where builders and developers had encroached government land, particularly lake beds" (the full text may be accessed here).

So, are we going to be seeing similar clearance of lake bed encroachments across the city soon?

Muralidhar Rao