A Decade of Disappointment: Byrasandra's Fight Against Unchecked Encroachment

Imagine fighting the same battle for nearly a decade, knocking on countless doors, filing countless complaints, and still seeing the very problem you’re fighting grow right before your eyes. That, in a nutshell, is the disheartening reality for Anil Kumar, a determined resident and activist from Byrasandra in Bengaluru. He’s been on a relentless crusade to reclaim vital public property and stormwater drains that, it seems, have been brazenly swallowed up by illegal constructions.

The core of the issue revolves around Sy. No. 27 in Sunder Ram Shetty Layout, Byrasandra village, falling under Begur hobli. Here, a significant stormwater drain (SWD) and other public spaces have allegedly been encroached upon, leading to a host of civic woes. What’s truly frustrating for Kumar, and frankly, for anyone who hears his story, is that this isn't a new revelation. He first raised the alarm way back in 2013-14. You'd think that nearly ten years later, such a blatant issue would have been resolved, right? Well, sadly, no.

The situation even caught the attention of none other than the then Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah, who, in 2015, personally ordered a survey of the land. And guess what? The survey unequivocally confirmed the encroachments. This wasn't just hearsay; it was an official finding, a clear mandate for action. Yet, here we are, many years down the line, and those illegal structures, those symbols of blatant disregard for public land, are still standing tall. It really makes you wonder about the efficacy of government orders, doesn't it?

Anil Kumar’s exasperation is palpable. He alleges that these encroachers aren’t just ordinary folks; they’re often described as "well-connected individuals" with political ties, making them seemingly untouchable. And what’s worse, he points a finger squarely at local BBMP (Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike) officials, accusing them of gross negligence, if not outright collusion. He believes their inaction is not just incompetence but a deliberate turning of a blind eye, perhaps for reasons that one can only speculate about with a heavy heart.

The consequences of this prolonged apathy aren't abstract; they hit home, quite literally, for residents. These choked stormwater drains mean that during heavy rains, instead of carrying water away, they cause severe flash floods, turning residential areas into miniature lakes. It's a recurring nightmare that could easily be prevented if only the law were enforced. It's a stark reminder that urban planning and public infrastructure aren't just lines on a map; they are crucial for the safety and well-being of a city's inhabitants.

Now, Kumar is calling for urgent, decisive action. He's demanding nothing less than the immediate demolition of all encroachments on the SWD and other public properties in the survey number. But his demands go further, pushing for accountability within the system. He wants criminal cases filed against the responsible BBMP officials who, despite repeated complaints and clear orders, failed to take action. He also insists on penal action against anyone involved in the alleged collusion that has allowed this injustice to fester for so long. It’s a plea for justice, for integrity, and for the fundamental right of citizens to have their public spaces protected.