Puttenahalli demolitions will resume today

Puttenahalli demolitions will resume today

Staff Reporter

Parts of 14 buildings to be targeted

During last week’s drive, 13 structures were razed

Officials asked not to yield to any pressure

BANGALORE: The Bangalore Urban district administration in association with Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) will resume demolition of unauthorised structures in Puttenahalli on Thursday.

Puttenahalli, which is one of the three major flood-prone areas in the city (the other two being Bhadrappa Layout and Nayandahalli), was inundated to the brim during the recent rains. This was because of lack of drains in the area and scores of encroachments. During its drive last week, the BBMP demolished 13 unauthorised structures, including a five-storeyed building in Puttenahalli.

The continued drive on Thursday will bring down parts of 14 buildings that have encroached upon the “raja kaluve” connecting Sarakki Lake to Bilekahalli. These encroachments include the entrance wall and frontage of an apartment owned by an influential builder.

Bangalore Urban Deputy Commissioner M.A. Sadiq told The Hindu on Wednesday that all encroachments would be removed mercilessly. “We had identified 17 buildings that have come up unauthorisedly on the raja kaluve. But three of these have obtained a stay from the Karnataka Appellate Tribunal (KAT). While we will start with the removal of encroached portions of the remaining buildings, we will be on the job of getting the stay vacated,” he said.

Mr. Sadiq said he had directed the officials not to yield to any pressure and bring down all encroachments. Pointing out that Thursday’s demolition would clear the main raja kaluve of all obstructions, Mr. Sadiq said: “The plan is to connect Sarakki Lake to the BBMP’s major storm water drain near Bilekahalli. We have roped in the BBMP and local police for this major task,” he added.