BBMP to book crook engineers

BBMP to book crook engineers
R Jayaprakash | TNN

Bangalore: The BBMP has woken up at last. It has decided to demolish at least one part of the official-builderpolitician nexus.
It will book the engineers of the erstwhile CMCs and TMC who have sanctioned projects on storm water drains, valleys, in agricultural lands etc.
Taking a serious note of rampant violation of zoning regulations and building bylaws, the BBMP, through Bangalore Metropolitan Task Force and Lok Ayukta, will trace these officials, dig out their records and recommend action against them.
In the wake of demolitions being carried out across the city, the BBMP has stumbled on several cases where engineers have encouraged encroachments in exchange for kickbacks running into lakhs of rupees.
BBMP has found a way to nail these men. BBMP commissioner S Subramanya told TOI: “We are receiving applications for regularising unauthorised developments under the Sakrama scheme. Everything will become clear when we start processing the application forms. We will know about the deviations and violations, as to who has sanctioned permission and who has processed it. Once we have the data, it will be easy to nail the culprits.’’
“Once the application forms are received, every case will be scrutinised. Committees will be formed at the district level to probe the irregularities,’’ sources said.
The city has seen an unprecedented growth in the last 10 years, more so after 2000. As the needs of the housing sector were not addressed, fly-bynight real estate developers and builders took advantage of the ambiguous government policies, networked with politicians and officials and started housing projects without proper sanction.
“In fact, the size of the real estate development was so much that the state government had no choice but to regularise such properties. Bulldozing these structures was out of option. They were hoping to realise Rs 600 crore from the penalties,’’ officials said. 72 hours later, dust settles amidst ruin
Bangalore: The earthmovers have fallen silent after pulverising 16 buildings over 72 hours. Another five buildings marked for demolition will now be razed by the owners themselves.
The focus now is on excavating earth to clear the drain path. The BBMP has deployed 10 earthmovers and over 200 gangmen at Bora School Road, 17th main, 24th Cross JP Nagar 5th Phase, Annaiah Reddy Main Road, Puttenhalli 28th and 30th Cross, which had severe water-logging following last week’s rain.
Five property owners on 17th Main — downstream of Sarakki Lake — have already agreed to demolish the illegal portion of their building to facilitate the drain work.
Bommanahalli joint commissioner Venkatramana Naik said: “We have identified seven buildings for demolition in the area.”
“But since five propertyowners have come forward to pull down the unauthorised portions on their own, we will give them a chance. And later, we will demolish the remaining two buildings,’’ Venkatramana added.
The residents of Puttenhalli, JP Nagar 5th and 6th Phase, who have been deprived of drinking water for the past three days, were provided water in tankers.
Residents have been asked not to use water from the borewells as they could have been contaminated with sewage. On the other hand, the BSNL has taken up restoration of 300-odd lines, which were disrupted in the area due to drain excavation work. Bescom has moved in mobile transformers and is restoring power in phases in over six layouts.
toiblr.reporter@timesgroup.com