BDA taken to task

The High Court took the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) to task for its submission that 146 illegal layouts have come up in the catchment area of Thippagondanahalli reservoir. 

“They would not have come up if the authorities concerned had discharged their duties properly,” the Court remarked.

Replying to a question by the court, BDA Counsel said a Special Task Force Cell headed by a Superintendent of Police exists in BDA to report on encroachment. The Court reacting to it, said: “Have they done any field work? Or do they need any instrument to see what is happening at the ground level?”Are they supplied with any infrastructure?”

When the court learnt that an officer heads the cell, it said: “The officer should file an affidavit on why he is sleeping over the matter. Even a blind person can sense what is happening. These people don’t sense it. It is better we should have physically challenged people for this job,” Justice Gowda said.

Pointing out to the committee constituted earlier by BDA following directions by the Court and the affidavits filed by BDA regarding the illegal layouts, the Court in its order, said: “Though BDA has a separate task force cell headed by an SP and comprises two Deputy Superintendents of Police, circle inspectors and sub inspectors, they appear to be not taking their work seriously. The 146 layouts would not have come up, if this cell and the members were active and had submitted report to commissioner BDA for action,” the Court observed.It refused to pass any orders and observed that appropriate orders will be passed only after hearing the task force authorities regarding their inaction. 

The Court was also not happy with the affidavit by Bangalore Urban DC, and said the committees constituted through Government Order dated February 14, 2011, and the earlier committee dated November 18, 2003, had not served any purpose. “Though the matter is before the Court since 2005, the authorities have failed to take any meaningful action to protect the area,” the Court observed.