BDA recovers 'encroached' property worth Rs 50 crore

BDA recovers 'encroached' property worth Rs 50 crore
Bangalore, DHNS:
Earlier in the day, officials who monitored the demolition drive told Deccan Herald that BDA had a clear ground to go ahead with the demolition.


Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) on Friday recovered encroached property worth Rs 50 crore near West of Chord Road. Constructions that had come up on four acres and 29 guntas in survey numbers 5, 6 and 8 of Agrahara Dasarahalli Village were demolished after an operation that started at around 7 am.
BDA maintained that it had acquired the land for the formation of the West of Chord Road 4th Stage Layout and the preliminary notification and final notification in this connection were issued as early as in 1964 and 1971 respectively. However, possession of the land was not initiated due to a litigation during the years 1991 and 92, the BDA spokesperson said.
Action against the encroachment was initiated because the court had given its verdict on the case in favour of BDA, the spokesperson added.
Earlier in the day, officials who monitored the demolition drive told Deccan Herald that BDA had a clear ground to go ahead with the demolition.
One house, huts and walls in the property were demolished, following which the official team fenced the area.

Demolition ‘illegal’
Meanwhile, those who claimed ownership of the property have called the demolition illegal and said that they would move the court against it. Mr Srinivas told Deccan Herald that he, along with five family members, had been enjoying possession of the property for years together. He claimed that the land was handed over to the erstwhile Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP) as part of a village development scheme in 1979.
“We have paid the betterment charges and have been paying the taxes as well. The demolition was conducted without any prior notice,” he said.
Mr Srinivas added that he would not come in the way of the law if the officials could prove the encroachment, but added that the demolition was conducted in a manner in violation of democratic rights.
“Can’t we expect a government agency to act in a civil manner? They can’t just come in with two platoons and dislodge properties without any notice,” he said.