Rlys objects to Mantri barricading disputed land

Both the Railways and the Mantri Developers are claiming ownership of the land.

Based on a report by the BBMP on the encroachment of land belonging to the Railways, the BBMP and the State government, the South Western Railways carried out a demolition drive, a month ago.

Both the Mantri Developers and the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) approached the High Court against the eviction. The Court, however, directed status quo. Recently, the Railways spotted construction work being carried out on the disputed land.

DRM’s instruction

The Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) of South Western Railways (SWR) Sudhanshu Mani, based on inputs, issued an oral instruction to halt the work at the site.

According to  sources in the Railways, both the Mantri Developers and the BMRCL have again approached the High Court accusing the Railways of interference.

The Court has now directed both the parties to present their cases before it.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, Sudhanshu Mani said: “Mantri Developers tried to barricade the disputed land again, despite the status quo ordered by the High Court. The land belongs to the Indian Railways and we shall not tolerate land encroachment.”

On the issue, Managing Director of BMRCL N Sivasailam said the construction work of the Swastik Metro Station would not stop.

“The interference by the Railways is hindering our work. Moreover, the Railways will be solely responsible for the delay in executing the Metro work,” he added.