A survey by the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) on the directions of the Karnataka High Court has revealed that 146 unauthorised layouts were formed within one kilometre of the banks of Arkavathi and Kumudavathi rivers, which is categorised as a protected zone (Zone-3), around Tippagondanahalli (T.G. Halli) catchment area.
In its draft preliminary report submitted to the court on Tuesday, the BDA also stated that 482 non-residential structures and 3,506 residential units have come up in 23 villages falling in Zone-3, which comes under the jurisdiction of the BDA.
The BDA had submitted a draft report after working over the last weekend as the agency had been given three days (December 14-16) by the court to identify illegal structures in the 23 villages.
Court baffled“This [number of unauthorised layouts] reflects on the administration of the BDA, which is responsible for town planning and development of this area,” said Justice A.N. Venugopala Gowda.
“If the BDA had prevented formation of unauthorised layouts, people would not have invested their money on houses in these areas,” the court observed.
While expressing displeasure over the manner in which the BDA allowed these unauthorised activities in its jurisdiction for the past 10 years, the court said BDA’s inaction defeated the purpose of the November 18, 2003 notification by the State government categorising the catchment area under various zones. It allowed only agriculture and agriculture-related activities in Zone 3 without prior permission from authorities with the intention of protecting it from pollution.
The court said it would constitute a committee, headed by an Additional Chief Secretary, to monitor activities in the area after being informed that another 100 villages falling in Zone-3 come under other planning authorities. The court will pass an order on constitution of the panel on December 18.
