The Hindu       05.09.2017 

BBMP yet to remove bulk of SWD encroachments

Of 81 acres identified, civic body has cleared only 11.21 acres that is a mere 13.8%

Over
a year has passed since the July 2016 flash floods woke up the civic
agencies to start adopting corrective measures. But the encroachment
clearance drive that the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike soon began
has all but been abandoned.

Of the 81 acres identified as
encroachments in the 800-km stormwater drain (SWD) network in the city,
the BBMP has successfully cleared only 11.21 acres (a mere 13.8%) till
date. Of the 1,953 buildings that the civic body had identified as
encroachments, only 1,225 buildings have been removed.

“It is
apparent why the drive fizzled out. It hit a major roadblock after they
found encroachment by Ideal Homes Layout, R.R. Nagar, which had houses
of VIPs, and Orion Mall,” pointed out a civic activist.

The BBMP
then cited lack of surveyors deputed from the Revenue Department as an
excuse to discontinue the clearance drive. The High Court, too, recently
issued a set of guidelines for encroachment clearance that is also
being used as a reason that slowed down the drive.

It is not just
clearance of encroachments that has hit a dead-end. Even other works
such as strengthening of stormwater drains and dredging do not have any
great progress to boast of, citizens say. Following the recent flooding
in Koramangala on Independence Day, Bengaluru Development Minister K.J.
George ordered the transfer of the chief engineer of drains in the civic
body, against whom even Mayor G. Padmavathi had a litany of complaints
for slowing down stormwater drain works. A new chief engineer took
charge two weeks ago.

BBMP Commissioner N. Manjunath Prasad said
he would take measures to immediately restart the encroachment clearance
drive after the rains cease.

“During my recent visit to HSR
Layout and Koramangala, some encroachments causing a reverse flow of
water have come to my notice. We will restart the drive soon,” he said.