Builder in BBMP net for encroachment
Palike team found that the residential apartment being constructed Sobha Developers at Tumkur Road near Peenya has been built over a storm water drain.
After Brigade Gateway at Rajajinagar and the G Stad star hotel on Vittal Mallya Road, the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) major works standing committee has objected to the a residential apartment being constructed by Sobha Developers at Tumkur Road near Peenya, for encroaching upon the storm water drain (SWD).
Members of the committee, who inspected the area on Tuesday, said that the SWD flowing from Nagasandra will pass from the middle of the construction site to join the Vrushabavathi canal, which is on the other side of the property. The canal flows from Peenya to Chikka Bidarakallu lake.
“The drain has been diverted unscientifically. They have also shifted the main Vrushabavathi canal by 60 ft far from the actual flow for the construction of the apartment,” said H Ravindra, chairman of the committee.
“According to the Karnataka Municipal Council Act, nobody has the right to divert the free flow of the river. The canal has been diverted in a zig-zag manner towards the main canal,” said Ravindra who ordered the zonal joint commissioner to stop the work immediately.
A BBMP official said a survey of the land found that 320m length and 10m width of drain which passed in the centre of the construction site had been closed by the builder. There was also a 380 m length and 8 m width road which passes through the site which has now been closed.
Committee member Harish said that during the land conversion, the DC had notified that about 1.21 acres kharab land in the area and similarly the BDA, before providing the plan sanction had clearly mentioned that the kharab land should be utilised only for public purpose. But the developers illegally occupied the 1.21 acre kharab land worth Rs18 crore to construct the apartments.Sobha Developers is constructing 888 apartments in the first phase and 310 in the second in a 22-acre area. Sobha Developers liaison officer HG Sandesh said, “The BDA has sanctioned the plan and have given permission to divert the drain. We will provide all the documents to the BBMP.”