Karnataka - Bangalore   

Illegal structures demolished

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: It was a double whammy: an unauthorised garden developed on a concrete block built illegally over a storm water drain. Seven concrete bridges of 14-metre width supported by several columns that blocked the flow of water underneath. Hired to demolish these structures in Koramangala 1st Block on Thursday, contractors of Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) had a tough task at hand.

Armed with cranes, earthmovers and pickaxes, the men swung into action. The Koramangala police offered security as the apartment dwellers preferred to stay indoors. "We had issued notices to the apartment dwellers. We have been telling them about the encroachments for the past year," a BBMP Assistant Executive Engineer told The Hindu at the demolition site.

More than the blocks, the columns underneath obstructed the flow of storm water (and even sewage illegally diverted to the drain by residents). "During rain, water is even forced backwards flooding low-lying areas such as the neighbouring Ejipura and Indira Gandhi Slum," he said.

Two bridges would have effectively linked Koramangala 1st Main Road with the private apartments. The demolition was part of BBMP's drive to clear encroachments in the four valleys of - Hebbal, Challaghatta, Koramangala and Vrushabhavathi.

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