Photos of encroachment over storm water drains in Bangalore

Above: Building No: 5/2A, JC Road, Bangalore -2: This private building with Ground Plus 3 Floors has been constructed illegally after encroaching upon the storm water drain on JC Road. The storm water drain is the property of the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). The building houses M/s Agarwal Powers, Harmony Paradise and other commercial establishments

Above: Building No: 89/1. JC Road, Bangalore-2: This building with Ground Plus Three Floors which is constructed illegally over the BBMP storm water drain has been rented out to Cargo Tarpaulin Industries and SH Agencies, among others

Above: Building No 38/3, Lakshmi Complex, Lalbagh Road, Bangalore-27: This building with Ground Plus Three Floors has been constructed over the storm water drain on Lalbagh Road. It is occupied by Khivraj Bajaj and KEY

Above: Sri Ragavendra Complex Kumbargudi Main Road, Bangalore-2: (First and second floor)

Enchroachments over storm water drains: Advocate puts BBMP on notice

PRESS NOTE
For kind favour of publication

BANGALORE, September 17, 2009: Having exhausted all means to clear encroachments over storm water drains, advocate S. Umesh has now threatened to file a PIL against the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) if it fails to initiate action within 15 days.

Mr Umesh, President, Five Year Law Course Advocates Association, first complained to the BBMP along with photographic evidence regarding the encroachment of drains, which led to water logging on roads and flooding of basements.

When the civic body ignored his complaint, the advocate approached the Lok Ayukta on July 16. Even this did not prod the BBMP to demolish the illegal structures. Finally, Mr Umesh filed an RTI application seeking details on the status of the complaint submitted by him.

It was only then that the BBMP responded that action was initiated against two structures. “The Corporation demolished two insignificant structures, while letting the big fish go scot free. Major encroachments include the Gurudwara at Ulsoor, the parking lot at Jasma Bhavan Road and shops on the drain at Nala Raod, Shivajinagar,” he said.

Mr Umesh has now provided a fresh list of encroachments where three to four storey buildings have come up on the storm water drain at JC Road. A copy of the complaint has also been sent to Urban Development Minister S. Suresh. “I will not rest until all the illegal constructs are demolished, even if it means going up to the Supreme Court,” the advocate added.

Copy of the complaint filed with the BBMP regarding additional encroachments over storm water drains

September 17, 2009

To
The Commissioner
Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike
NR Square
Bangalore

Sir,

Complaint against construction of illegal buildings over storm water drains in Bangalore

In continuation of my earlier complaint dated June 16, 2009, I would like to bring to your notice four other instances of illegal construction over storm water drains. It is a matter of surprise that three to four storey buildings have been constructed right over the storm water drains. The fact that the BBMP is silent over such major encroachments indicates that its officers are actively involved in the scandal. The list of additional encroachments is provided below:

Agarwal Powers (Ground Plus 3 Floors), No 5/2A, JC Road, Bangalore -2
Sri Ragavendra Complee (First and second floor) Kumbargudi Main Road, Bangalore-2
Cargo Tarpaulin Industries, 89/1. JC Road, Bangalore-2
Lakshmi Complex, No 38/3, Lalbagh Road, Bangalore-27

It is a matter of regret that the BBMP has failed to act suitably on my previous complaint too. I request you to immediately demolish the aforementioned illegal buildings and initiate necessary action against the guilty including the corporation officers concerned.

Please note that having exhausted all options before me in seeking redressal, I shall have no option but to file a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) before the Honourable High Court, if you fail to initiate action with 15 days.

Sincerely,


(S. Umesh)

Cc: Honourable Minister for Urban Development, Vidhana Soudha, Bangalore
Honourable Lok Ayukta of Bangalore

PRESS NOTE: BBMP demolishes illegal structures following RTI application

PRESS NOTE
For Kind Favour of Publication

BANGALORE Sept 1, 2009: An RTI application has finally prodded the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to initiate some action against the illegal encroachment of storm water drains, through the big fish remain untouched.

Mr S. Umesh, President, Five Year Law Course Advocates Association, had first filed a complaint with the BBMP on June 16 along with photographic evidence seeking action against illegal encroachments. When the Corporation failed to initiate action, the advocate filed a complaint with the Lok Ayukta.

When even this did not have an impact on the BBMP, he filed an RTI application seeking details of the action initiated by the civic body. In response to the application, the Executive Engineer, Koramangala Valley, has stated that illegal encroachment and construction by Chowdeshwari Kalyana Mantap and Venkatesh Nursing Home at Lakkasandra have been cleared.

However, the response is silent about the other major encroachments including the illegal construction by the Gurudwara at Ulsoor. No action has also been initiated with regard to the blocking of a storm water drain at Jasma Bhavan road to create a parking lot. Ironically, the Corporation itself has encroached upon the drain at Nala Road, Shivajinagar to construct shops.

Threatening to file a PIL on the issue, Mr Umesh said, “I have exhausted all means. The only avenue left now is to knock on the doors of the court.”

Press Note: Advocate files RTI over BBMP's inaction against illegal constructions on drains

PRESS NOTE
For kind favour of publication
August 17, 2009

ENCROACHMENT OF DRAINS: ADVOCATE FILES RTI

Mr S. Umesh, President, Five Year Law Course Advocates Association has filed an RTI application seeking details of the action initiated by the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) against illegal constructions over storm water drains.

The advocate who has led a sustained campaign against such encroachments had filed a detailed complaint with the Commissioner, BBMP, on June 16, 2009 along with photographic evidence of illegal constructions over the drains.

Mr Umesh contended that these constructions were responsible for water logging on roads and flooding of basements during the rains. “Though I filed a formal complaint which received wide coverage in the media, the BBMP is yet to act even after two months.”

In his complaint, the advocate had urged the BBMP to initiate action not only against illegal constructions but also zonal officers who permitted them. “The corporation is shying away from taking action as its own officers are hand-in-glove with the encroachers.”

Mr Umesh who has already complained to the Lok Ayukta against the civic body’s inaction, has threatened to file a PIL before the High Court seeking demolition of illegal constructions and action against the BBMP Commissioner.

The following illegal constructions have been listed by the advocate in his complaint: 1. Chowdeshwari Kalyana Mantap, Lakkasandra, Bannerghatta Road 2. Venkateshwara Nursing Home, Gupta Layout, Lakkasandra, Bannerghatta Road 3. Layout near Ulsoor Lake 4. Ulsoor Gurudwara 5. Jasma Bhavan Road, Miller’s Tank Bund 6. Corporation Shops, Nala Road, Opp Beef Market, Shivajinagar

“I will take this issue to the logical end. Why should innocent citizens suffer because of corrupt corporation officers and land sharks,” he asked.

Media coverage

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RTI application seeking details on action against encroachment of storm water drains in Bangalore

ANNEXURE “A”
(See rule 3)
The Right to Information Act 2005

To:
Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike
Bangalore

1. FULL NAME OF APPLICANT: S. Umesh

2. ADDRESS: President, Five Year Law Course Advocates Association (Regd), No 19, I Floor, 18th Cross, Cubbonpet, Bangalore- 560002 Phone: 9880356178(M) / 080-22113508 E-mail: advocate.umesh2007@gmail.com

3. PARTICULARS OF INFORMATION REQUIRED: Status of complaint submitted to the Commissioner, BBMP on June 16, 2009, seeking action against illegal construction over storm water drains.

(i) Subject matter of information : Illegal constructions over storm water drains in Bangalore, with particular reference to the following: 1. Chowdeshwari Kalyana Mantap, Lakkasandra, Bannerghatta Road 2. Venkateshwara Nursing Home, Gupta Layout, Lakkasandra, Bannerghatta Road 3. Layout near Ulsoor Lake 4. Ulsoor Gurudwara 5. Jasma Bhavan Road, Miller’s Tank Bund 6. Corporation Shops, Nala Road, Opp Beef Market, Shivajinagar

(ii) Period to which the information relates : 2009

(iii) Description of information required : (Details may be attached on additional A4 size paper if required)

1. The applicant had submitted a complaint to the Commissioner, BBMP, on June 16, 2009, along with photographic evidence, regarding illegal constructions over storm water drains in Bangalore. The applicant would like to know what action the BBMP has initiated against the illegal constructions listed in the complaint.

In case, the BBMP has not yet initiated action against the said illegal constructions, has it set a deadline for their demolition?

(iv) Whether information is required by post or in person :

(v) In case by post (Ordinary, Registered or Speed) :

4. WHETHER THE APPLICANT IS BELOW POVERTY LINE : No(If yes, attach a photocopy of the proof thereof)


Place: Bangalore
Date: August 17, 2009

Sd/-

Signature of the applicant

Encld: Copy of the complaint enclosed

Why are children of Kannada activists studying in English schools, asks Advocates body

PRESS NOTE
For kind favour of publication

BANGALORE July 4, 2009: The Five Year Law Course Advocates Association has come down heavily on Kannada activists, littérateurs and politicians who propagate the use of mother tongue but educate their children in English medium schools.

In a statement, Mr S. Umesh, President, Five Year Law Course Advocates Association said: “It is well known that the children and grandchildren of Kannada activists, writers and politicians study in English medium schools. Under the circumstances, they have no justification in demanding that the children of others should study in Kannada medium schools.”

Those fighting for the cause of the mother tongue should first swear on affidavit that their wards are studying in Kannada medium schools. “Unless they come out with such a declaration, they have no moral right to propagate the cause of Kannada. Ironically, some of the littérateurs who recently filed a PIL in the High Court, are themselves English teachers,” Mr Umesh noted.

The Government should follow the time-tested three language formula instead of imposing Kannada as the compulsory medium of instruction from first standard. Stating that Kannada should be taught as the first language in schools, he said, “The importance of the local language cannot be undermined. Those opposed to Kannada, have no place in Karnataka.”

In this competitive world, students of Kannada medium schools are at a disadvantage when compared to their counterparts in English medium. While Kannada needs to be respected and learnt, knowledge of English is a must to give the students of Karnataka an edge in the global scenario, Mr Umesh added.