Karnataka Govt To Demolish Houses Constructed On Storm Water Drains In Bengaluru

According to a recent BBMP report, out of 204 lakes in the city, only 20 lakes are left without being encroached

Karnataka government to demolish houses and properties built on storm water drains and water outlets, resulting in water logging and flooding in Bengaluru. Demolition to start soon under the Karnataka disaster management act.

State Revenue Minister R Ashoka while speaking to mediapersons said, "Properties will be demolished to make way for water. It’s clear under the Karnataka disaster management act. We don’t have to give notice to anyone. There are ten bottleneck points and the corporation will start demolition on Friday or Saturday. Told them not to attend any phone calls."

According to a recent BBMP report, out of 204 lakes in the city, only 20 lakes are left without being encroached. These lakes cover an area of about 6,000 acres, in which 941.67 acres has been encroached. So far, encroachment has been removed only on 30 acres.

Earlier, the Siddaramaiah government in 2016 directed the BBMP to restrict the demolition drive to encroachments on storm water drains. The move came in the backdrop of complaints that some of the officials have marked properties in places other than Storm Water Drains as "encroachments".

Then in 2016, the authorities have demolished 141 houses constructed on Storm Water Drains in the city, before ceasing the drive to further continue. The government has reclaimed 29.8 acres of encroached land, said a Times of India report. The Karnataka High Court in 2011 directed the authorities to demolish the houses built on Storm Water Drains and stop the water outlets.