Build alternative road for MLA Layout residents: HC to Palike

The High Court on Tuesday disposed of a petition filed by former MLC Shakuntala Chougule and others seeking removal of encroachments and illegal structures on a piece of land meant for laying a road.

A division bench of acting Chief Justice S K Mukherjee and Justice B V Nagarathna directed the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to look into the report of a committee headed by a court commissioner and ensure that an alternative road was laid for the convenience of the residents of MLA Layout at Lottegollaralahalli adjoining New BEL Road.
The bench directed the BBMP to look into the aspects of road encroachment as per the recommendations of the committee and ensure the alternative road suggested by the committee was made permanent. The petitioners had moved the court against encroachment of road by private builders, who have constructed an apartment–KKR Vajra—which has come up exactly on the land earmarked for road. They accused the BBMP of “turning a blind eye to these violations.”

They had also submitted that even a letter to the then chief minister on 7 July, 2000, wasn’t helpful. Stating that they have remained cut off from the outside world, they had sought the court’s directions to the authorities concerned to provide them road connectivity. The court had earlier constituted a committee and appointed a court commissioner to look into the matter. The committee had submitted a report suggesting various alternatives.