Demolitions carried out in Hosakerehalli

The Bengaluru Urban district authorities on Saturday razed a few structures encroaching upon the Hosakerehalli lake in Bengaluru South near Tata Promont in Hosakerehalli.

The authorities identified 40 sheds, three houses with shops, two temples and the compound wall of a private school located on the lakebed. According to rules, no construction is permitted on tank beds.

On Saturday morning, the assistant commissioner of Bengaluru South sub-division and the tahsildar reached the spot with earthmovers, gangmen and police.

Residents panicked on the arrival of the demolition squad. The officials directed the residents to vacate their houses. People quickly removed all their belongings from their houses and placed them on the road.

Of these structures, the officials removed only a few sheds belonging to one Subbanna. Due to protests, the officials had to return without accomplishing their task.

The residents demanded that they show the proof of markings on their buildings and sought more time to vacate the place. Residents also charged officials with arbitrarily razing structures without prior notice.

Nagaraj, one of the house owners, who may lose half of his building, said he had bought the plot many years ago and could construct the house only three years ago.

“I invested all my savings on this building and now they say that my house will be razed. I will be on the road if this building is gone,” said a weeping Nagaraj.

Bengaluru South tahsildar Shivananjappa said the owners have been given 15 days’ time to demolish their structures on their own or else the authorities will raze them.