BBMP razes compound wall of gated community
BBMP razes compound wall of gated community L&T South City Bangalore. The demolition to restore connectivity was being done as recommended by the Lokayukta. But the BBMP joint commissioner refused to show any supporting documents.
BBMP Bangalore bulldozed its way around South City complex, a gated community off Bannerghatta main road, stripping it of its gate and part of its compound wall. BBMP joint commissioner (Bommanahalli) Shivabasavaiah said the demolition to restore connectivity was being done as recommended by the Lokayukta. But he refused to show any supporting documents.
Residents were in for a rude shock, and reacted with anger at the road widening exercise, which they termed “sudden”. Work started at 10.30 am on Thursday. The main gate was broken in just 20 seconds, and half a km of their compound was bulldozed within the next two hours.
A section of their compound wall on the western side, facing Puttenahalli lake, was also razed to restore a public road running within, to connect Puttenahalli main road to Bannerghatta road, Arakere and other areas, as per the Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP).
The demolition, carried out with high police security and without any prior intimation, angered the residents. Women and senior citizens gathered to protest, but had to stand helpless and watch.
“This is a cowardly exercise by the BBMP to cover a blunder in sanctioning the plan 15 years ago. If the road was in the CDP, then why was this gated community approved with the road running inside?’’ asked Abraham Kuruvilla, president of South City Group Housing Apartment Owners’ Association (Sugruha).
Messrs. L&T and Ranka Cheated Apartment owners promising 34 acres gated community and 60-ft road connectivity to the JP Nagar 24th Main. According to source, Messrs. L&T and Mr. Dinesh Ranka promised a 60-ft road connectivity to the JP Nagar 24th Main and a 5.5 acre park. After selling thousands of apartments, they told the residents that as much as 12 acres out of the 34 acres sold to them, including the USP of South City – the park and the main internal road, have been relinquished earlier itself to BDA.
“The latest sale deed also says we have ownership over the entire 34 acres, even beyond the compound wall. BBMP didn’t even have a court order,’’ said an angry Prema K. “Is it our fault that the developer kept some crucial information from us? Policemen tried to hide our developer. It is a nexus between him, BDA and now BBMP,” said Geetha Subramaniam.
“We have not demolished any part of the building. We only want the road restored, as per the CDP. Developers have also relinquished the land to us through the BDA. It’s not our fault if the residents haven’t been informed about it. They must settle it with their developer. They cannot continue to block a public road,’’ said Shivabasavaiah.
Bannerghatta Road, BBMP demolition drive, BBMP razes compound wall of gated community, L&T South City, Puttenahalli Lake Bangalore, Residents of South City, South City Apartments, SUGRUHA
