16k acres of revenue land encroached in Bengaluru Urban, 2.8 lakh acres in Karnataka: data in Legislative Council
The total worth of the land encroached in Bengaluru could exceed Rs 48,000-64,000 crore, sources said. Among districts, Kolar reported the highest encroachment at 88,310 acres or one-third of the total encroachment in the state.
2 min read
Among the 31 districts in the state, Kolar – which neighbours Bengaluru – reported the highest encroachment at 88,310 acres which is one-third of the total. The total extent of revenue land encroached in Bengaluru Urban district stood at a staggering 16,478 acres, according to data tabled in the Karnataka Legislative Council. The data shows that the total extent of Revenue Department land that has been encroached in the state is 2.82 lakh (2,82,130) acres.
According to sources, the revenue land encroached in Bengaluru is worth thousands of crores. “Land encroached in prime areas inside the city have high guidance value and will cost more compared to those in the outskirts. Land along the Metro line also costs more. At an average cost of Rs 3 to 4 crore per acre, the total worth of these lands can exceed Rs 48,000-64,000 crore,” sources said, alleging that large pockets are encroached by the politician-builder nexus.
Among the 31 districts in the state, Kolar – which neighbours Bengaluru – reported the highest encroachment at 88,310 acres which is one-third of the total. No land has been encroached in Koppal and Raichur districts as per the data.
According to Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, though the total extent of land identified as encroached was large, it is expected to reduce as some of these lands were under cultivation and such plots will be removed from the list. This is because a decision was made during the previous government’s tenure that such lands will not be considered as encroached, he said.
Gowda said that encroachers could not thrive “without help from officials. There are many ways to stop such encroachments. When laws are not implemented correctly, this is what happens.”
The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) recently restarted the drive to clear encroachments – mainly along storm water drains – to prevent instances of flooding during heavy rainfall in the city. However, the drive’s slow progress has come under criticism. Pending court petitions, filed by the alleged encroachers, are also hampering the process.
Besides the encroachment on revenue land, over 2 lakh acres of forest land have been encroached in the state.
You May Like
Photos
