‘Demolish Big Buildings Too’: Locals Fume As BBMP Razes Sheds In Mahadevapura

The Bengaluru civic body officials faced the wrath of residents in the Mahadevapura zone on Monday as it resumed its anti-encroachment drive. The locals accused the Bruhat Bengaluru MahanagaraPalike (BBMP) of being partial towards the rich and affluent and said only the buildings of the poor were targeted.
The BBMP began its demolition drive in Mahadevapura'sGarudacharPalya and razed the sheds built by locals on rajakaluves (stormwater drains).
One of the locals, who owned the shed that also housed poultry, accused the BBMP officials of sparing PurvaParkridge villas.
Why have you started demolition right at the centre where our sheds are located? Start demolition from one point – not from the centre of the area. The officials should demolish the villas which have encroached on rajakaluve, just like how our sheds were demolished. Only they were given time, Anand, whose shed was demolished, said.
As the situation became tense, BBMP officials left the area. However, the excavator brought in by the civic body was held at the spot by locals.
The locals asked the JCB driver to remain at the spot and not leave until the officials return.
BBMP began the anti-encroachment drive on September 5 in Mahadevapura. The drive picked up the pace on September 12 but slowed down as the week ended.