In what may turn out to be a controversial move before the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) polls, the State Government has decided to regularise 3,699 acres of encroachment of Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) land, which may house an estimated 66,500 sites.
This land spread across 68 BDA layouts, has been notified and acquired by BDA during the formation of these respective layouts. However, private individuals though do not have titles over the property have had possession of these lands and has seen development. These private individuals have been enjoying these properties in many cases for more than two decades now. Not just that, most of these cases are currently pending before the courts as the private property owners have either challenged the acquisition or have sought a title deed.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that as most of these lands are developed into residential areas, it was not possible for the Government to evict all these residents. “There are only two options here. Either we evict them or regularise them. It is a question of more than 60,000 households. We have decided to regularise these possessions with a fee that is presently being worked out. This will ensure revenue of a few thousand crores to BDA and also solve the issue for the people,” he said adding that the Government had sought legal opinion on the process to be followed for the same.
ADVERTISEMENT