Demolition may be the only way out...

Demolition may be the only way out...
Deccan Herald

Demolition will have to be the order of the day in Puttenahalli, if storm water drains are to be established for smooth flow of rain water, thanks to extensive encroachments in the valley portion of Puttenahalli Lake.

Demolition will have to be the order of the day in Puttenahalli, if storm water drains are to be established for smooth flow of rain water, thanks to extensive encroachments in the valley portion of Puttenahalli Lake. It is said that the encroachments start right from the mouth of discharge of the Lake.

Untold damage

According to sources, nearly 110 houses or more may have to go if the drains are to be in place to prevent flooding, as was witnessed during the monsoon. Sources claimed that inspections and interactions with residents clearly showed encroachment to the extent of 100 per cent along the water way.

“The area is irregularly developed. Not one road has been found to be straight, all of them lead to dead ends.

At one site, a wall has been built against the flow of water from the Puttenahalli Lake,” sources said and added that the whole area was like a maze straight out of the maze shows in television.

Water way

The authorities claim to have no other option but demolition as several buildings have been built on the Puttenahalli valley obstructing course of water, sources said The only way to restore the water way would be to clear constructions along its course.

Alongside the legal constructions, there are a dozen illegal ones that have led to this state of affairs, sources claimed citing examples of buildings constructed on sites earmarked for roads and even drains. “There’s a house which is 40 ft long and 15 ft wide and has been built above a drain. This was one of the houses shown to be flooded during the recent monsoon,” sources explained, alleging that indiscriminate grant of permission was one of the reasons for haphazard constructions in the area.

Panel

A high-level committee comprising members from the Bangalore Development Authority, Bommanahalli City Municipal Corporation with the Deputy Director of Land Records as the nodal officer, has been entrusted with the task of studying water flow patterns, valley measurement and designing storm water drains to enable quick flow of water in Puttenahalli currently. While studies are still on, there are plans to connect the water way to the drain in JP Nagar so that it links to the Agaram Lake.