BDA reclaims properties worth Rs 168 cr in 20 days

Asset recovery: BDA, BBMP on a demolition spree

BDA has cited the sustained support from the Chief Minister as a catalyst for the speedy work being carried out by the development authority. The ongoing demolition work, according to BDA officials, was a pre-planned effort that was drawn nearly three months ago.

“The involvement and consistent pressure from ‘high stake’ players have been one of the prime reasons for the intensification of the demolition drive,” informed a BDA official. It can be recalled that according to the rulebook, nearly 30 per cent of the stray sites recovered every year goes to ‘G’ category (the Chief Minister’s discretionary quota), with the rest being awarded to various other reserved categories. Barely a third of the sites are auctioned for the common man. Since May 2009, as much as 30 acres  of land have been recovered by the BDA.  A total of 303 acres have been recovered by the BDA during the year 2009-10.

Rs 70 crore recovered

On Monday, the BDA demolished nine RCC houses and 81 temporary sheds. The land worth Rs 70 crore, at the current market value, admeasuring 8 acres and 18 guntas was recovered in Nagarbhavi area under survey number 78. The land, which was under several litigations in various courts in Karnataka and one at the Supreme Court, which earlier this year ruled in favour of the developmental authority, was recovered by the BDA this week.  Till October, the BDA has carried out four major demolition drives this year, including the Nagarbhavi demolition.