Land conversion beyond the law

 DC approval not required for conversion of agricultural land in urban areas: Act

Land conversion beyond the law

Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್ 

Bengaluru: Agricultural land has been being converted for non-agricultural use from a year, violating the government law that does not require land conversion within urban areas.

The 'invisible hands' are working to prevent the implementation of the government law by hiding it. Thus, the District Commissioner is accepting applications from land owners for land conversion. Landowners are being unnecessarily burdened by paying lakhs of rupees in fees.

The permission of the District Commissioner is not required to use agricultural land within the 'Master Plan' for non-agricultural needs. The government had issued an order in 2023 that it would be sufficient to pay the required fee along with a prescribed self-declaration while obtaining the construction plan from the concerned urban planning authority. However, the District Commissioner is not following this.

To simplify the land conversion process in urban areas, the state government has amended the Karnataka Land Revenue Act, 1964 and issued a notification on July 27, 2023, with the approval of the Governor. 

Section 95 of the Karnataka Land Revenue Act, 1964 has been amended, and if the land used for agriculture or other purposes is included in the ‘Master Plan’ as per the Karnataka Town and Countryside (KTCP) Act, 1961, then the land conversion process by the District Collector is not required. It has been informed that the holders of such land should pay the necessary fee to the Town Planning Authority. 

An application should be submitted to the District commissioner for conversion of land or agricultural land that is outside the jurisdiction of the local planning authority and not published in the master plan. The District Commissioner can convert it after obtaining the approval of the concerned planning authority and paying the fee. If there is no response from the Planning Authority within 15 days, it shall be deemed as approval.

If the District Collector does not approve the land conversion application within 30 days of its submission, it shall be deemed as ‘conversion approved’. The Act clearly states that the District Collector shall approve it immediately after payment of the prescribed fee.

‘No rules have been formulated’

“The Karnataka Land Revenue Act has been amended and a notification has been issued. However, the necessary rules have not been formulated yet. Therefore, BBMP and BDA are unable to collect fees and give the necessary approval for such unconverted land. Some district commissioners are obstructing the formulation of rules,” said a Revenue Department official who did not want to be named.

‘The amendment to the law has been brought at the insistence of Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda. The opinion of the state’s district commissioner has been obtained and it has been tabled in the legislature and notified. However, some people have obstructed its implementation.

‘Government is cheating citizens’

‘The government has said that the law has been amended to simplify land conversion in urban areas and to avoid the inconvenience and office wandering of citizens. However, they are cheating by not implementing it,” complained Padmanabhar Reddy, a former leader of the BBMP ruling party.

“The District commissioner is illegally converting land, and the Revenue Minister is aware of this, but he is silent. Action should be taken immediately to implement the law,” he demanded.

“The agricultural land under the jurisdiction of the 110 villages, including the municipalities and town panchayats that have come under the jurisdiction of the BBMP, does not need to be converted. However, they are being given B-khata and creating problems. In addition, the revenue that the BDA and BBMP could have received has also been hindered,” he said.

Nov. 25 deadline for clearing lake encroachment

• Total lakes under BBMP jurisdiction: 201
• Encroachment in 159 lakes
• Total encroachmentclearance of 851 acres pending

Action against officials if action is not taken as per High Court directive: BBMP

Nov. 25 deadline for clearing lake encroachment

Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್ 

Bengaluru: BBMP has given another deadline for clearing encroachment of lakes in the city. It has warned that disciplinary action will be taken against the concerned officials if encroachment is not cleared by November 25.

The Special Commissioner of the Administrative Division issued a ‘Letter of Information’ to all the executive engineers under BBMP jurisdiction on November 13, asking them to completely clear the encroachment of lakes under their jurisdiction. They have been instructed to submit a report by November 27.

The state government, which had been objected to several times by the High Court, had issued an order on August 28, 2023, deputing officers for the protection of lakes and primary-secondary royal canals and clearing encroachments, specifying their responsibilities.

The BBMP had also submitted an action plan to the High Court through an affidavit stating that the encroachments of the lakes would be cleared within a time frame. Accordingly, it had started a 16-week action plan to clear encroachments in 159 lakes from the first week of September 2023. The encroachment clearance work of the first week of lakes was to be completed in 70 days.

The 16-week action plan process was completed by the end of December, and even if calculated from that period, the encroachments of all the lakes were to be cleared by mid-March 2024. However, due to the negligence of the BBMP officials, the encroachment clearance operation has not yet begun.

‘As per the directions of the High Court and as per the action plan for clearing encroachments of lakes, the work of measuring, surveying and identifying encroachments of the lake should have been done. The Chief Commissioner expressed dissatisfaction in the meeting held on October 25, 2024 that no action has been taken so far. Therefore, the encroachment work of all lakes should be completed by November 25. Disciplinary action will be taken against the failed officers as per the Karnataka Civil Service Rules (Conduct, Classification and Appeals) and the Karnataka Municipality Act,’ the Special Commissioner of the Administrative Division has warned all the executive engineers.

BBMP takes over 7 acres worth ₹242.5 crore: Preeti Gehlot

13 lakes Encroachment cleared

Bengaluru: Encroachment has been cleared in 13 lakes on November 30th under BBMP jurisdiction, and seven acres of land has been taken over.

As per the High Court order, survey and clearance work is underway to clear encroachment of lakes under the jurisdiction of the corporation, said Preeti Gehlot, Special Commissioner of Forest, Environment and Climate Change Management.

Out of the 202 lakes under the jurisdiction of the corporation, the survey work of 162 lakes has been completed, out of which 49 lakes are free from encroachment. There is government encroachment in 23 lakes, and steps are being taken to clear the encroachments in coordination with the zones, she informed.

Encroachment clearance operations have been carried out in 13 lakes in four zones of the corporation, and a total of 7 acres 3 guntes of encroached area worth ₹242.5 crore have been cleared and steps have been taken to install wire fencing.

Mahadevapura Zone: 2 acres 6 guntes of Doddanekundi Lake have been cleared of encroachment and steps have been taken to install wire fencing. An 8 guntes area that was encroached on in Vibhutipur Lake has been cleared.

East Zone: A shed on 2.5 guntes of land in Kaggadasapura Lake has been cleared and a wire fence is being installed on 22.5 guntes of empty land.

Bommanahalli Zone: 30 guntes of empty land in Konanakunte Lake have been taken possession of and a wire fence has been installed. 12 guntes of Arekere Lake and 28 guntes of Subbarayana Lake have been cleared. 

Yelahanka Zone: Preeti Gehlot informed that a total of 2 acres and 14 guntes of encroachment area in seven lakes including 2 guntes in Avalahalli Lake, 24 guntes in Yelahanka Lake, 8 guntes in Medi Agrahara Lake, 4 guntes in Agrahara Lake, 1.50 guntes in Kattigenahalli Lake, 25 guntes in Narasipur Lake, and 29.50 guntes in Singapore Lake have been cleared. 

Disciplinary Action: The Special Commissioner of the Administrative Division had issued a ‘Letter of Information’ to all the Executive Engineers under the BBMP jurisdiction on November 13, warning that disciplinary action would be taken against the concerned officers if the encroachment of the lakes under their jurisdiction was not cleared by November 25. He had also directed that a report should be submitted by November 27.

In the encroachment clearance action plan submitted to the High Court, the BBMP had stated that a total of 851 acres of encroachment clearance is pending in the lakes under its jurisdiction.

Garbage fine for APARTMENTS

 Lack of solid waste management system in bulk generators

Garbage fine for APARTMENTS 

Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್

BENGALURU: BBMP has decided to impose double penalty on apartments that do not have waste management system.

According to the solid waste management rules, in apartments where waste is generated more than 100 kg (bulk generator), there should be a management system for it. However, wrong information is being given that we are giving waste to someone. All these will be checked and action will be taken," BBMP Chief Commissioner Tushar Girinath told reporters on Monday.

During the inspection by our staff, many bulk generators are saying that they are disposing waste to MSGP Infratech Institute. However, MSGP has a capacity of 750 tonnes. 500 tonnes of solid waste is being disposed of daily by BBMP. How are so many bulk generators of the city disposing of the remaining 250 ton capacity. There are questions about whether so many tippers are going there. Therefore, an inspection is being done', he said.

"Bulk generators are disposing of solid waste informally without coming into our system. They are giving money to some people. They are littering our vehicles. It is going to land fill areas' he said.

Apartments must have a solid waste disposal system. For those who do not have this system, schedule a time and implement it. Until then, the BBMP will collect the garbage by collecting double the cost from them in the form of fine. He informed that more than twice the amount of money allocated for waste disposal is collected from the solid waste management company.

BBMP has decided to allow private companies to set up solid waste management units. Organizations can implement their own space and machines for processing. He said that waste can be obtained from bulk generators.

Ejipura flyover: Crack in segment

Lack of quality in 'precast' of previous contractors; Disruption to work

Ejipura flyover: Crack in segment

Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್ 

Bengaluru: A crack was found in the segment of Easypur flyover while the work was going on. Cement and gravel are coming out from the 'precast segment' which was built four years ago.

Due to the intervention of Transport Minister Ramalingareddy, the work which had gained momentum for the last two months has again faced a setback. A crack has appeared in the 'precast segment' built by the previous contractor. During the process of placing the segments on the pillars and connecting them with cables, gravel and cement fell from the segments, causing considerable cracking.

Elevated Corridor on Koramangala Outer Ring Road (Ejipur) 2.5 km. Simplex Infrastructure Company started constructing the long flyover from 2017. Lease was given. The project was to be completed by 2019. The contract was canceled in 2022 as per the instructions of the High Court due to delay in the work. Later, a 'turn key lumpsum' contract was awarded to BSCPL Infrastructure to complete the remaining work and the mandate was issued on November 17, 2023.

Out of the 69 precast segments constructed by the previous contractor, 11 segments have been installed by the present contractor. While assembling these, cement, gravel fell from one segment and a lot of cracks appeared. Thus, the work has been stopped for a week. Due to this, the speed of work has slowed down and there is a possibility that it will be delayed compared to the previous project.

Indian Institute of Science (IISC) experts visited the spot and inspected the segment and gave a report. Accordingly, it is recommended to remove the cracked segment and install another one.

We have experienced a lot of problems since the work has not been done for four years. Work was going on fast for two months. Now they have stopped because there is some problem. We are the only ones who are suffering from the traffic every day," lamented Rajamohan, a local.

Will be Replaced: Lokesh

A defect has appeared in the precast segment constructed by the previous contractor. Only one segment is the problem and it is suggested to replace it. All kinds of preliminary tests are being done. But this error was not found. The work will be continued with more caution," said Lokesh, chief engineer of the planning department.

Engineers not willing to identify the illegal building!

 Engineers who did not follow instructions of BBMP Chief Commissioner

Engineers not willing to identify the illegal building!

Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್

Bangalore: Zonal level officials and engineers are hesitating to survey and report the illegally constructed buildings in the city.

 On October 25, Chief Commissioner Tushar Girinath had ordered all the zonal commissioners to survey the buildings being constructed illegally without plan and in violation of the plan and submit a report within a week.

 It was suggested to register the illegal construction of buildings using the app. The survey work has been done by taking 70 people from a private agency. Tushar Girinath himself told the reporters that the report has come from Mahadevpur and the western zone, and it will be available from the rest of the zones on the evening of November 4.

 The facts are different from the information given by the Chief Commissioner. The list of illegal buildings in the zones is not yet prepared. Local engineers have been lagging behind in identifying unauthorized buildings. Thus, this process is still in its infancy. BBMP sources said that the final notice given to some buildings many years ago is being implemented now.

 Whatever app is made, local engineers should record information in it. That process itself is delayed. Also, there are many kinds of pressure on engineers, including politics.

The information about all the buildings being constructed illegally or unofficially is available in the Junior, Assistant and Assistant Executive Engineers, Joint Director of City Planning. Give them a notice whenever they want and they will calm down. No action is taken even after many months. Thus, illegal buildings are fully constructed. Officials of the city planning department, who did not want to be named, said that only when there is a building disaster, the word 'Evacuation of Illegal Buildings' is raised.

 The words of CM and DCM are not recognized!

 On October 24, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said that if any illegal or unauthorized building construction continues, action will be taken against the concerned engineers including the zonal commissioner. He said that he should not be under any influence.

 Shivakumar also instructed to conduct a survey about the construction of illegal buildings and submit a report within a week. Similarly, Chief Commissioner Tushar Girinath had also ordered. However, none of the instructions were recognized at the local level. The survey and reporting of illegal buildings is still in the initial stage.

 "No information yet"

 Information about unauthorized and illegal buildings should be identified by local engineers and forwarded to the central office through the chief engineer, joint commissioner and zonal commissioner. All of them will be collected and a report will be prepared,” said Girish, additional director of urban planning who has been appointed as the nodal officer for preparing the report on illegal buildings.

 He suggested to become a nodal officer only on Tuesday. "The work has not started yet," he said.

HUDCO Loan 27000 crores for Bengaluru Business Corridor

HUDCO Loan of ₹27000 crorea for Bengaluru Business Corridor

Farmers get better compensation: BDA

•  ₹27 thousand crores Cost of construction of business corridor
•  2,400 acres Final notification for land acquisition
•  3 years Deadline for project completion

Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್

 BENGALURU: HUDCO has agreed to provide the complete loan for construction of the 73 km long 'Bengaluru Business Corridor' on the outskirts of the city.

 Due to land acquisition, the project, which has been stalled for many years, is being finalized. A special package is being prepared for land acquisition and it is planned to fix the compensation amount between the BDA Act 2013 and the compensation amount of the current land acquisition process.

 The project which was known as Peripheral Ring Road has been named as 'Bangalore Business Corridor'. A Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) has been set up for the implementation of this scheme, headed by Additional Chief Secretary L.K. Atheeq has been made the President.

 The Business Corridor Project has been decided to be constructed by the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) by getting a loan through government guarantee. The Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO) has agreed to provide a full loan at an interest rate of 9 per cent for this project. Negotiations are underway to reduce the interest. Apart from this, talks are going on with two more organizations and will be finalized in 15 days, said L.K. Atheeq told Prajavani.

 The project requires land acquisition of 2600 acres, of which 200 acres are owned by government institutions and have been handed over. He said that the process of land acquisition will be completed soon by negotiating with the farmers and landowners and giving them compensation in a way that will satisfy them.

The government has deputed eight KAS officers to complete the land acquisition process. Preparation of Detailed Project Report (DPR) has been started. After completing all the necessary processes, the tender will be called in six months. He informed that the target of completion of the project has been set within three years from the commencement of the work.

 Commercial Area: 

It is planned to construct a 100 meter corridor. Land acquisition will happen like that. Both sides of the business corridor are intended to provide land for commercial purposes. Six lanes of 50 meters will be constructed. The remaining space will be sold for commercial purposes,” said Atiq.

 60% of the cost of the project is required for land acquisition. Therefore, the debt cannot be paid only by toll collection. Thus, the space on both sides of the corridor will be sold.

 Business Corridor route 

 The business corridor starting from near Nice Junction near Madanayakahalli on Tumkur Road will reach Namaghatta Road, Doddaballapur Road, Bellary Road, Hennur, Old Madras Road, Whitefield, Channasandra, Sarjapur Road, Hosur Road.

 The PRR will pass over railway level crossings and 395 minor junctions on the roads of Nameghatta, Doddaballapur, Chikkaballapur, Whitefield, Hosur. A total of 16 flyovers are planned to be constructed over the Jarakabande Lake, Tirumenahalli Lake, Chinnaganahalli Lake, Gunjur Lake, and Chikkatoguru Lakes.

Tunnel Road: ₹750 crore per KM, Tender in January

Tunnel Road: ₹750 crore per KM, Tender in January

• Tunnel Road (First Phase)
•  18 km long From Hebbal to silk board 
•  ₹750 crore Cost per km tunnel road
•  January 2025 Tender invitation for construction of tunnel road

Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್ 

BENGALURU: The BBMP plans to invite tenders for the Tunnel project in January, intending to use Chinese tunnel boring machines (TBMs) to construct a tunnel road in the city. Also, the project cost is also high.

 There is a plan to construct a six-lane tunnel road from Hebbal to Silk Board, in which two roads have been decided to be reserved for BMTC buses.  Only electric buses are allowed to ply. Also, it is planned to build commercial purpose stores, malls, multi-storied parking buildings.

 It was earlier estimated that one km of tunnel road would cost ₹450 crore. However, according to the DPR completed by BBMP in three months, one km tunnel road will cost ₹600 crore to ₹750 crore.

 The tunnel road project requires about 56 acres of land acquisition, of which 50 per cent of the land will be reused. Along with the commercial purpose, it is considered to be used for the beautification of the tunnel road.

 It has been decided to implement the project in Public-Private Partnership (PPP) and the plan has been made so that 70% of the cost will be borne by private contractors. BBMP plans to get the remaining 30% from financial institutions, said BBMP officials.

The relationship between India and China is improving and plans are being made to import TBMs directly from China. Chinese TBMs have been used instead of European TBMs, the cost of the project will be reduced by 10%. We have decided to start this project in six months," said Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar told Prajavani.

 The Detailed Project Report (DPR) is ready and it has been decided to call for tenders in January. The tunnel road is planned to be built on a world scale in such a way that everyone will be amazed. All kinds of facilities will be provided on this road," said BBMP Principal Engineer B.S. Prahlad said.

 'Point' for entry-exit

 The North-South Tunnel Road Corridor will start from the front of Hebbal Lake and will go up to the Central Silk Board. Entry and exit of vehicles will be allowed in front of the lake. After this, a 'point' for exit and entry of vehicles will be constructed near Hebbal Veterinary Hospital. A 'point' is currently planned to be constructed near Mekhri Circle Palace Grounds, Golf Grounds and Maharani College, Lal Bagh. It is intended to provide entry and exit on Sarjapur Road and Outer Ring Road side.