As
many as 220 grievances relating to land transfer, allotment of
government lands, plots, shops and markets, and building plan approval
were heard by BDA officers on the first day of the adalat. “The
objective of the adalat is to bridge the gap between BDA and citizens.
The citizen-friendly adalat will bring in transparency in the
functioning of the development authority,” BDA vice-chairman Vishal Dev
said. The adalat is likely to be held once in two months.

BDA
officials were flooded with complaints relating to encroachment on
government land, delay in approval of building plans and harassment by
some BDA employees among others. Some participants raised fingers at the
comprehensive development plan (CDP), prepared for overall development
of the city by 2030. “Though I had purchased a land from BDA nearly 10
years ago, now nearly 50% of the land has been earmarked for a drain in
the CDP. I have been running from pillar to post to resolve the problem,
but to no avail,” said a participant.

Another complainant
Rakhya Bi brought to the notice of BDA officers the rampant unauthorized
expansion of houses, sold by BDA in Chandrasekharpur. “A man living on
the top floor of the building where I stay on the ground floor has
started constructing another room. When I protested, he scolded me,” she
said. BDA authorities assured her of action. “We will first issue
eviction notice to the man and later cancellation notice of his
allotment of the house,” Dev said.

Apart from the adalat, the
BDA has a grievance redressal system, which is being held every Monday.
Though it pays heed to grievances of all nature, the grievance sessions
hardly witness a footfall beyond 50 people. The BDA expects more
participation at the adalat in the coming days. “We got a good response
on Tuesday. We will go for massive awareness and publicity campaign to
drive home the point. People would be made aware of the event much in
advance,” Dev said.