30 Years Encroachment cleared: Greenery in the pipeline

 Land encroached for 30 years in ISRO Layout reclaimed

Encroachment cleared: Greenery in the pipeline

Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್

Bengaluru: The BBMP has cleared the garden area that had remained encroached since the time the Bangalore Development Authority built the layout after 30 years.

The BDA had reserved land for a garden in the ISRO Layout in Kumaraswamy Layout. This area was encroached even when the layout was handed over to the BBMP. The encroachment in this area has now been cleared and is set to be greened.

In Survey No. 1 of Bikasipura village in Uttarahalli taluk under the Padmanabhanagar assembly constituency, the BDA had reserved 2 acres 20 guntas of land for a garden during the construction of the ISRO Layout. But this area was encroached by private individuals. There were sheds and other structures on this land, which is located on the side of the circular Rajakaluve. The BDA had handed over the plot to the BBMP many years ago.

The BBMP had tried several times to clear the land reserved for the park. The local lobby was unsuccessful. Two months ago, after collecting all kinds of documents, the engineers of the BBMP South Zone Planning Department, along with police bandobast, cleared the encroachment.

A retaining wall has been built around this area around the Rajakaluve and a system has been made to drain water through a drain. Since it was a low-lying area, a lot of soil has been filled in and brought to the road level. The development work of the park has started and will be completed in three months, said the BBMP South Zone Engineer.

‘Many types of facilities are planned to be developed in this area, which is circular around the Rajakaluve. On one side, it is being developed into a tree grove, and on the other side, a park is being built. There is no lawn system here. Only a walking track is being built for walkers. Plants are being planted to green the rest of the area. Equipment is being installed for children to play on one side. A system that facilitates exercise will also be created,’ explained Executive Engineer Mahantesh.

‘Illegal activities were going on in this area for many years. A situation had arisen where the residents around were afraid to even walk on the road. Many times, complaints were filed with the BBMP and requested to take action. Finally, the residents of the block put a lot of pressure on MLA R. Ashoka. After he gave strict instructions to the officials, the encroachment was cleared, it is clean. He said that he would make a park. This is a good step,’ said Basavaraju, a local resident of ISRO block.

Development at a cost of ₹3 crore

‘A tree grove, a park and an exercise facility will be provided in this area reserved for a park in the ISRO layout. This area is adjacent to the Rajkaluwa, and special facilities will be provided for senior citizens to take a walk. The park is being developed at a cost of ₹3 crore with the MLA funds of Padmanabhanagar assembly constituency MLA R. Ashoka,’ said Engineer Mahantesh, Executive Director of the Planning Department of BBMP South Zone.