Residents slam demolition

Residents slam demolition

People of Bhavaninagar allege that they have not been served any notice

The big question that confronts the poor residents is where they should go next

Senthalir S. Bangalore

The sufferings of Bhavaninagar residents in Kadirenahalli cross have doubled with the Bruhat Bangalore Mahangara Palike (BBMP) beginning to demolish a portion of their houses here for the Kadirenahalli underpass work.
Already been put to lot of inconvenience due to the delay in underpass work, the residents are now frustrated with the BBMP's demolition drive.
"They haven't issued any notice to us. At least they should do this. Is this democracy? I don't understand why they are behaving like this. We have built our houses after selling our land. Where are we supposed to go?" asked Tulasi S of Bhavaninagar.
She said "We have been living here for the past 20 years. First they came and marked the portion of the house they were going to demolish. We thought they would first serve notice and provide compensation. But we haven't got anything."
Manjunath NC, a resident of the area, said: "At least 50 houses will lose a portion of their structures to the project. Our houses are built on just 15X25 feet site. For this project, 22 feet of the site will be demolished. We are poor, where are we supposed to go now? The ministers had promised title deeds for the houses long back. But they haven't provided us with anything."
He said at least the residents should be paid compensation.
"Many houses have been built on government land. Only a few have got documents for their houses. We don't want to lose our land. The BBMP has to provide us at least some alternative instead of not taking any responsibility," said Subramanya, a resident of Bhavaninagar.
The roads have been dug up and there has not been any progress in the underpass construction.
Tulsi said, "The BBMP started digging the roads in May, 2008. There is no progress in the work at all. The delay in work has put people into lot of inconvenience. The stagnant water had become a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
"Mosquito menace has increased to such an extent that everyday we have to take our children to hospital."
The BBMP officer, who did not want to be named, said: "Only three temples have been demolished. The temples were built on government land. We are not going to demolish the houses now. Only after final proceedings are over, we will take a portion of the houses for the project.
"Compensation will be given to people who possess documents and not for the houses built on government land."
The Rs28-crore worth Kadrenahalli underpass project was to be completed on January 16, 2009. But there has not been much progress.