BDA’s ban on sanctions evokes mixed response in Puttenahalli

BDA’s ban on sanctions evokes mixed response in Puttenahalli
Vijay Times

THE Bangalore Development Authoritys (BDAs) decision to stop giving sanctions to high-rise buildings and group housing schemes in the entire catchment area of Puttenahalli, which comes under the Bommanahalli CMC limits, has received a mixed response from residents of Puttenahalli.

BDA commissioner M K Shankarlinge Gowda recently said that no sanctions will be given either by the BDA or the CMC as the entire Puttenahalli area, where drains and Rajakaluves had been encroached upon, was prone to floods during monsoon.

Many residents appreciated the BDAs move while some felt it was not proper on the BDA to issue such directions as people, who would be planning to construct buildings for genuine reasons, would be put to hardship.

"We have been residing here for many years. Middlemen working on behalf of land grabbers have been cheating the gullible public with false documents. Officials concerned should check this menace instead of not giving sanctions," Sharanappa, a resident of Puttenahalli said.

"I had purchased the site long back but was unable to construct the building. Now, I am planning to build a multi storeyed building and its my bad luck that the BDA has issued such directions. When we have proper documents for the land purchased how can it become illegal," asks Lakshmana.

Another resident Basavaraju said, "BDA should look into all the factors while allotting sites. Puttenahalli is a low lying area, which would result in flooding. Why these issues were not considered while developing the area? If the sanctions have to be stopped, then the authorities concerned should think of providing an alternate site." Though Vasu, a localite, welcomed the BDAs move, he urged the authorities concerned to first get the encroachments on the storm water rains and Rajakaluves cleared and let the residents lead a normal life. "We do not want a repeat of last years episode during monsoon," he said.