Bengaluru: It was around 9 am when 200 workers of various government agencies, including the police arrived in Yelahanka and Puttenahalli to remove structures encroaching on the Shivanahalli lake and the storm water drain leading to it.

Although no house was demolished in Yelahanka on day one of the eviction drive, property owners quarrelled with the police and BBMP officials over the removal of compound walls, temporary sheds, boundary walls and other structures.

Many of the temporary sheds removed were rented by the people from site owners, triggering protests in the area. But BBMP officials continued the drive, ignoring the unrest.

Residents of Arekere pleading with BBMP corporators to spare their homes from being demolished

Many residents tried to block the JCBs by standing or sitting on the road before them, contending that they had valid khatas. “I bought this site from a housing cooperative society. But today the BBMP is saying it is illegal and on a storm water drain. If that’s true how come they issued me a khata?” demanded Mr. Renukeshwar HG, a retired government employee.

Though no apartment was razed, the compound wall of an upcoming apartment complex was destroyed as it was obstructing the natural flow of rain water. One apartment buyer, present during the drive, complained the builder had not informed them about the drain. “We will file a case against the developer,” he asserted.

Compound walls of several other apartment complexes were also destroyed in the drive. “In other parts of the city the eviction started from the upper areas, but here we have begun from the lake bed. So on day one no major structures were destroyed,” explained one surveyor.

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Going by BBMP officials, more residential apartments that have come up on the storm water drain, will be surveyed on Sunday. “We will definitely not allow any illegal structure to remain if it is blocking the natural flow of water,” they said.

Four buildings face the axe in Bellandur

Four buildings, including an under-construction apartment complex, were targeted by the BBMP’s demolition task force at Bellandur, ward no. 150, the Shubh Enclave Layout on Sarjapur Road on Saturday morning.

The drive started as early as 9 am and there were emotional scenes when one of the encroached buildings, an independent house, got reduced to rubble. “Five earth movers were at work. The residents though initially could not take it soon started to realize that their construction was illegal and ‘came to terms’ it,” said Parameshwaraiah, Chief Engineer, Mahadevapura zone.

Four buildings face the axe in Bellandur

“It was the first day of the demolition drive and obviously the emotions will run high and everyone will be charged up, but the drive will continue on Sunday clearing constructions that have come up over the storm water drain that leads to tanks nearby in this case,” the Kasavanahalli lake.

“While one independent house has been already razed almost completely, an under-construction apartment complex will be razed 90% on Sunday. The third building, an independent house, will be demolished about 40% and the fourth will be demolished to about 20-35%,” said Parameshwariah.

In buildings that will be partially demolished it may lose out compounds, aerial projections, porticos, columns and adjoining sheds, the chief engineer added.

Residents in apartments were seen desperately calling realtors to arrange for alternative apartments in the area

Encroachers will face criminal action: BBMP Joint Commissioner

Deccan Chronicle in conversation with Joint Commissioner, BBMP, Sarpharaj Khan, who led the eviction drive in Yelahanka

How did the eviction drive go on day 1?

As you can see this area has more open space and very few residential buildings. Today we have demolished many encroachments such as temporary sheds, small connecting bridges and shelters.

How many houses were marked for eviction/destruction?

We have not marked any big house or residential complex for eviction. We will continue the survey on Sunday too. Once it is done we will get a clearer picture.

How do you plan to stop encroachments on this lake bed in future?

We will register criminal cases against all those who illegally sold the lake land and cheated people.