Jayanagar residents catalog encroachments

BANGALORE: Encroached vacant plots in J P Nagar with no sign of the owners. Some have become private gardens, some parking space for the neighbours. This apart, 14 acres of Byrasandra lake has been reduced to less than 9 acres; a rather residential Sarakki Main Road is now congested with traffic and commercial hubs and one portion of the road leased out to a petrol bunk.That's just a few of the rampant violations.
Tracking unauthorized constructions is usually difficult, but a recent people's initiative in Jayanagar has helped the BBMP and BDA with a long list of offenders. Chances are that at least two or three of them involve illegal constructions on large, vacant BDA land.
Locals have spotted expanding encroachment, disappearing marginal lands and abused Civic Amenities sites and submitted their report to the Jayanagar MLA B N Vijayakumar, along with details and detailed location map. These residents and welfare associations in Jayanagar are leading the way in curbing encroachment.
"We got tremendous support from the people. All their observations submitted to us so far have been scanned, sorted and sent to both the BBMP and BDA in batches, along with supporting documents. The exercise has made their job easy. What's left now is action and restoration,'' Jayanagar MLA Vijayakumar explained.
There are records for almost all the land in the city, but even a well-planned area like Jayanagar is not free from encroachments and irregularities. He says, "It all needs consistent and complete support of both the people and, most importantly, prompt action by the civic officials,'' he points out.
HOW IT STARTED
The hunt started in February this year. The spastics society approached the MLA Vijayakumar for land. However, both the BBMP and BDA said they were helpless as there was `no vacant land' available there. But, a casual walk through the area shocked him. "There were so many vacant plots hidden in the residential areas -- many even as extensions of a few houses. When we enquired, no one knew who the owner was!'' he says.
EVALUATING THE CATCH
The exercise has been really helpful. Our preliminary investigation into all the cases submitted to us has been completed. At least two or three major irregularities have been identified. We'll submit our report to the BDA commissioner shortly. If confirmed, demolition will be initiated to restore these properties.
-- Narayanswamy, ACP, BDA demolition squad
toiblr.reporter@timesgroup.com