The Hindu 03.01.2014
A third of raja kaluves encroached, says survey
200 km of storm-water drains encroached upon
Nearly a third of rajakaluves (storm-water drains) in
and around Bangalore have been encroached upon and this is the chief
reason for extensive water logging during rains, according a survey
conducted by the Deputy Commissioner of Bangalore Urban district.
The study found no less than 200 of the 650 kilometres of storm water drains (30.7 per cent) surveyed were encroached upon.
A
team of officials from the District administration, along with 66
engineers from the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and 44
surveyors from the Revenue Department conducted the survey.
Deputy
Commissioner (Bangalore Urban) G .C Prakash told mediapersons that 227
of 251 villages were surveyed and that the remaining villages would be
completed soon. He said that Bangalore is worst affected during the
rains with several residential areas frequently witnessing
water-logging.
The issue of water-logging was brought
to the notice of Revenue Minister V. Srinivas Prasad, who directed the
officials to resurvey the rajakaluves, Mr. Prakash said.
As
per procedure, the BBMP and the Revenue Department have to issue
notices to the encroachers before evicting the place to restore the
storm water drain.
The reportfinds that temples,
schools, residential apartments and agricultural lands rank among the
top encroachers. The survey also found that government bodies have also
been found built in violation, according to a senior police officer who
participated in the survey. Mr. Prakash said that the BBMP will prepare a
plan of action to demolish encroachments for which the Revenue
Department will be provided necessary assistance.
The
BBMP, which is planning to start the eviction process after 10 days,
said the purpose of serving notices is to enable encroachers to clear
off.
If not, it will be done after the stipulated
time and the expenses incurred for the eviction drive will be recovered
from the encroachers, said BBMP officials.
