Row over Indira Canteen near Cantonment railway underpass

Yet another Indira Canteen is embroiled in controversy. This time it is the one near Cantonment Railway underpass.

Days after the structure was completely erected, the Railway officials have put up a board next to the canteen which reads “This property belongs to South Western Railway”. Highly placed sources in Railways said that the BBMP has built the structure without seeking approval from them.

“The land where the structure has come up belongs to us. Even the state government has no right to encroach upon the Railway land. It is illegal,” a senior Railway officer said.

He said no one from the BBMP or the state government approached the Railways and the structure came up randomly. “The state government or the BBMP did not have the courtesy to even approach or communicate with us (Railways). We were left with no option but to assert our rights over the land,” the officer added.

However, Divisional Railway Manager of South Western Railway R S Saxena refused to comment when contacted.

Sampath Kumar, area councillor, Vasanth Nagar, said, “The land is under dispute as the officials of South Western Railways claim it to be their land, but the civic body has built the canteen since it is on the main road.”  Manoj Rajan, special commissioner, Indira Canteen, said that he has to check with the officials for clarification.

BBMP Commissioner N Manjunatha Prasad said the land belongs to the BBMP. “If the Railways dispute our claim, then we will go for a joint survey,” he added.