Bengaluru: After facing backlash over flood-like situation in Bengaluru following heavy rains, the BBMP officials have started demolition drive and hundreds of illegal buildings have been already razed down. The city corporation has marked some more buildings for irregularities. The house of Lieutenant Colonel Niranjan Kumar, who was among the seven military personnel who died in the terror attack on the Pathankot air force base in January, is also marked for demolition.
As part of the house already been demolished which allegedly covers part of a storm water drain, people are upset that a martyr’s family has to undergo additional pressure. Lieutenant’s mother, Radha Kumar, speaking to media persons, said, “We built this nice home 15 years ago. We got all the clearances and did not know it was close to a storm water drain. BBMP says that two pillars will be removed – which means the first floor will no longer exist. If they give us time, we will do it ourselves,” she urged.
Lieutenant Kumar’s brother, Shashank, said that their family does not need any compensation and only time to bring the pillars that support an extension that was built as a home for the braveheart. “The extension was built for Niranjan. We are with the public and are ready to bring down the pillar – but we need time. We have got no response to our request for time,” said Shashank Kumar.
Meanhile, BBMP Commissioner, Manjunath Prasad, said, “They have my sympathies, but we are undertaking a painstaking task and public good comes above private good.” The Home Minister G Parameshwara has offered help to explore other alternatives on behalf of the government.
It may be recalled that two weeks back Bengaluru city was in news after pictures of city deluged with knee-high water, people fishing on the streets, boats out to rescue stranded commuters were doing rounds following heavy showers. The large-scale encroachment was blamed for the flood-like situation. Hence, the BBMP began demolishing illegal constructions that covered drains essential for siphoning away excess water.
