Date:05/06/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/06/05/stories/2007060518750300.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Part of recovered land to be given for public purpose

Swathi Shivanand

Distribution of 2,786 acres of land among Government agencies recommended

7,800 acres of land recovered from encroachers

The Government has auctioned more than 1,000 acres so far

BANGALORE: Even as opposition to the auction of government lands continues, the Bangalore Urban district Deputy Commissioner's office has recommended allocation of over 35 per cent of land recovered from encroachment to government agencies for use for public purposes.

This allocation is in keeping with the stated objective of the Government that its first priority is to provide government agencies requisite land for community use than auction to private developers. The State Government has auctioned more than 1,000 acres of land so far, which has come under flak by several organisations.

The district administration has recovered 7,800 acres of land from encroachers across five taluks in Bangalore Urban District so far, of which it has recommended distribution of 2,786 acres of land among various government agencies.

They include Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation, Bangalore Development Authority, Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike and Karnataka Slum Clearance Board.

"Their requests have been forwarded to the State Government for approval," Deputy Commissioner, Bangalore Urban District, M.A. Sadiq told The Hindu .

Officials said 1,481 acres of land had been recommended to be allocated to the BMTC and 741 acres to the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). In fact, the BBMP had earlier said that it needed lands to build landfills and dumping yards to meet the growing problem of garbage disposal in the city and had requested for 981 acres of land at different places in the city.

The Karnataka Slum Clearance Board has requested for 241 acres of land and its request would be forwarded to the Government soon, said an official at the Prevention of Unauthorised Construction Cell.

The Bangalore Development Authority which has been allotted 326 acres will take up housing projects on these lands, located around the upcoming Peripheral Ring Road.

While there was talk of allotting about 170 acres of land to the Karnataka Housing Board, the board has reportedly said that it would consult the BDA and Bangalore Metropolitan Region Development Authority before selecting lands. An official said that the KHB wanted to ensure that the lands they select had been notified for residential development in the master plans prepared by the two agencies.

The Deputy Commissioner's office had prepared a list of vacant lands, five acres and above and sent it to the government departments so that they could choose lands suitable for their needs.