Bengaluru demolition drive: People angered by double standard towards big and small builders
Following the demolition drive undertaken by the BBMP where around 1900 encroachments were identified, the perception among the common man was that big builders were being let off while small ones were being unfairly punished
In Short
- BBMP has deferred demolition of 2 malls claiming legal complications.
- Houses in Kasavanahalli or Vidyaranyapura were demolished without any questions.
- People are speculating that builder-government nexus played a role.
250 members of the Credai Bengaluru got together to shout one phrase: 'We are creators, not destroyers'.
Following the demolition drive undertaken by the BBMP where around 1900 encroachments were identified, the perception among the common man was that big builders were being let off while small ones were being unfairly punished.
NO VIOLATIONS
"We have all the approvals, sanctions and even occupancy certificates. According to me, there were no violations. Perhaps, the small builders have made some violations but there needs to be a proper method to see how this can be set right," said Murli, MD, Sriram Properties.
However, nobody raised any questions when the houses in Kasavanahalli of South Bengaluru or Vidyaranyapura of North Bengaluru were demolished. Many residents in those localities too had sanctions and certificates.
"This is not about the big and small. We need to look at what is right and wrong," said MR Jaishankar, Brigade Group.
After a hiatus, 2 malls in Bengaluru including the Brigade's Orion mall were scheduled to come under the hammer. Now, the BBMP has deferred the demolition claiming the need for fresh surveys to be conducted in order to avoid legal complications.
People are speculating that the builder-government nexus could have played a role in helping the builders buy time.
SURVEY
"There's no lobby. The only lobby I know is that of a hotel," said Irfan Razack, CMD, Prestige Group, "We work only for passion." In fact, the clarification provided by the Brigade Group is that there was no storm water drain according to the 1995 land records.
"We have provided our clarification. Bengaluru cannot be surveyed based on a century old map," said Jaishankar. The BBMP, every five years, releases a Consolidated Development Plan (CDP). This plan is released after a survey is conducted in various zones based on the growing and changing landscape of the city.
"The last CDP came out in 2005. The one for 2015 is still not done. But when you have a master plan keeping in mind the latest reforms, how can a new scripture be my bible?" said Razack.
ALLEGATIONS
Builders like Shobha were questioned for encroachment, but no action so far. "I have provided my clarification. All these are baseless allegations," said JC Sharma, Vice Chairman and MD, Sobha Developers. The big builders of the city say that they are not "senseless and irresponsible" to go ahead with their projects without proper documents and sanctions. They believe that if the demolition does not set right the flooding, encroachments and violations, there will be another catastrophe.
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