The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike’s (BBMP) encroachment clearance drive has finally targeted a major builder. The civic agency on Tuesday razed a tin sheet boundary erected by Puravankara around its upcoming apartment complex in front of Haralur lake, southeast Bengaluru.

The Palike’s crackdown came on the direction of Mayor B N Manjunath Reddy. Purva Skydale, a 17-storey residential complex of 288 flats, is almost ready with final touches being given to it. There were complaints that the builder violated the lake’s buffer zone, encroached on a stormwater drain by building an apartment complex on it, diverted the flow of the drain and narrowed it.

Puravankara is also accused of encroaching on 7.5 guntas of land belonging to one Venkataswamy Reddy. Taking note of the complaints, the mayor reached the spot with Palike and revenue officials in tow. Finding truth in the complaints, Manjunatha Reddy directed the BBMP to seize the entire property and evict workers from the place.

On his instruction, Palike officials measured the lake’s buffer zone and found the boundary of the housing complex at least 36 feet inside the buffer zone. The tin sheets and the workers’ makeshift quarters were immediately razed to the ground.

Speaking to reporters later, the mayor referred to complaints against the project — encroachment of stormwater drain, encroachment of Haralur lake’s buffer zone and encroachment of Venkataswamy Reddy’s 7.5 guntas of land in survey number 100/3 of Kudlu village in Sarjapur hobli, Anekal taluk. He took the officials to task for not responding to repeated complaints by Venkataswamy Reddy.

“Puravankara has encroached upon Venkataswamy Reddy’s land. He fought a long legal battle in the lower court and the High Court ruled in his favour, but he has not yet got his land,” the mayor said. Manjunatha Reddy directed the BBMP to survey the SWD and submit a detailed report.

Reacting to the BBMP action, a spokesperson for Puravankara said, “Puravankara clarifies that the project is being developed on 186 guntas, and has a clear marketable title. The property has been purchased through a valid sale deed and we have the BBMP khata for the entire extent of land in our name, with all taxes paid till date.

“We are the rightful owner of the property and have adhered to all bye-laws and obtained all necessary NOCs and plan sanctions. Referring to the 7.5 guntas of land, the matter is sub judice. We reiterate that we have not encroached on any private or public property (SWD).”

The mayor also inspected Sunny Brooks, a gated community at Dodda Kannahalli on Sarjapur Road near Wipro office. He said the SWD had been encroached upon, causing flooding in a residential layout in the upstream of Saul Kere.

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Content Source: Deccan Herald