Bengaluru: Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) carried out a significant eviction drive on Thursday, reclaiming encroached public land worth ₹35 crore in Katriguppe, Banashankari 2nd stage. Simultaneously, the BDA has issued notices to farmers for acquiring land under phase-II of the Peripheral Ring Road (PRR) project, leading to opposition from landowners.
BDA Reclaims Encroached Land in Banashankari
BDA officials, accompanied by enforcement personnel and JCB machines, conducted a massive operation to clear illegal structures from 19 guntas of public land in Survey No. 15/1 of Katriguppe village, Uttarahalli Hobli, South Taluk. The encroached site had unauthorized sheds, garages, scrap shops, and even a temple.
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The demolition began at 9 AM and met resistance from local residents, particularly regarding the temporary Muneshwara temple. As the officials attempted to remove the structure, residents protested. In response, BDA assured them that the idol would not be touched and allowed them to relocate it before dismantling the temple’s structure. Additionally, 23 vehicles associated with the scrap business were moved to another location.
According to South Division executive engineer Krishna Kumar, the land had been under illegal occupation for nearly 30 years. “We recently obtained court approval to reclaim the site, and notices were issued 15 days ago to inform the occupants,” he said. The successful eviction is part of BDA’s broader initiative to retrieve government land and ensure its intended use for public benefit.
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BDA Issues Notices for Peripheral Ring Road Phase II
In another development, the BDA has instructed tahsildars to serve notices to farmers whose lands have been earmarked for Phase II of the Peripheral Ring Road (PRR) project between Hosur Road and Tumakuru Road. The preliminary notification for the project was issued in 2006, and the land acquisition is expected to facilitate the construction of a BMTC depot, a truck terminal, and other public infrastructure.
The 55-km PRR Phase II will connect Hosur Road and Tumakuru Road via Magadi Road and Mysuru Road. BDA has already constructed an 11.6-km stretch between Magadi Road and Mysuru Road, with another 1.8 km pending. Recently, the Karnataka High Court upheld the acquisition of a 13.5-km section and directed BDA to expedite the project. The Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Layout falls within this stretch.
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However, the latest land acquisition move has triggered opposition from farmers and questioned how can BDA issue notices without a final notification for the rest of the land?. Further alleged that BDA’s real intent is to establish a business corridor catering to the real estate sector under the guise of public infrastructure.
