Khata certificates without paying bribe

Kudos to folks at Sachidananda Nagara Nyaya Para Andolana. It takes lot of courage to not give in or give up! We must get rid of the 'facilitation fees' for Khata certificates in Bengaluru and everywhere else!

Check this amazing story https://sites.google.com/site/snnacampaign/

Let us say 3 cheers for these folks and try to follow them :)

Palike makes big promises for infrastructure

As speculated, there was considerable stress on many developmental projects in the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike budget.

The budget announced many works under the Central government’s JNNURM scheme and other schemes.
It also announced `40 crore for the development of the approach road to the Bengaluru International Airport.
The budget also allocates money for construction of over 50 grade separators in the city.
As much as `64.44 crore would be spent on construction of Railway Under Bridge and Railway Over Bridges, he said, adding that greater thrust would be given to ‘Bottom up’ planning and decentralisation in governance through various information technology interventions.
Also, storm water drains would be upgraded to prevent flooding. There would also be widening of roads and improvement of arterial and sub-arterial roads, construction of subways, road underpasses and flyovers at important junctions.
According to the budget, there would be efforts to encourage wall paintings and beautification of bus bays.
Under the comprehensive investment plan, `3248.40 crore of the `22,000 crore would be used for development.
Arterial and sub-arterial roads stretching to 512 kms and seven dedicated signal-free corridors would be developed under this scheme and an additional `1,000 crore would be earmarked to provide link to the state and national highways with the central business district.
Many other projects would be taken up under public-private partnership.
To enable signal-free traffic movement from Yeshwantpur Circle to Outer Ring Road  (about 3.5kms), a project would be taken up in consultation with the Bangalore Development Authority and the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited at the cost of `3.95 crore.
A flyover would also be constructed at the cost of `178.24 crore to provide non-stop traffic from Sirsi Circle to Nayandahalli.

Residents of Iblur unite to save Ambalipura Lake

Troubled by the fact that a fairly large water body was disappearing in their backyard, residents of Iblur decided to take the matters in hand. Residents have collected Rs. 1 lakh and are planning to revive the lake along with BBMP.


Ambalipura Lake is one of the oldest among the 34 lakes in the Bommanahalli Assembly Constituency. The Lake is a 2.9-hectare water body, and is one of the most polluted lakes in the city, but however residents from Iblur are working towards reviving the lake.

K. Rajesh Rao, resident of Trinity woods, says it too suffers the same fate every day as over 400 million tons of sewerage flows into it. “I want the lake restored to its former glory. It is home to 30 species of birds, including the rare Lesser Whistling Duck. The lake must retain its biodiversity,” said Mr. Rao.

The lake is one of the 17 water bodies the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is trying to rejuvenate under Project 2 at a cost of Rs. 1 crore. “We were happy when the BBMP announced the lake's revival. We are working with the authorities to revive the rich biodiversity of this lake,” said Mr. Rao, whose family is one of the 200 residing in Trinity Woods, a condominium that adjoins the lake. They are also part of Forward 150; federations of resident welfare associations (RWAs) of Bellandur ward working with the BBMP to rejuvenate the lakes.

Ambalipura Lake, a 2.9-hectare water body, is encircled by buildings. While Trinity Woods is on one side, the other three are flanked by the Park Vista, Red Wood and Mantri Flora apartments. “This lake could not be traced for many years. The only sign that it existed was the bund where water was accumulating,” said Murali, local resident.
The lake, which was earlier under the Forest Department, almost died at one point of time as the urban sprawl ate into its inlet and outlet streams. Moreover, sewage was being let into it. The rise in water logging and contamination killed nearly 250 acacia trees on the wetland. And the expanse became a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

 “Despite this sorry state, the lake attracted many birds,” said Mr. Rao, showing the videos and pictures of the avian visitors to the lake, which faces his balcony.
The residents, who had brought this condition to the notice of the Forest Department, actively participated in Project 2 when the lakes in their vicinity were selected for rejuvenation. “Our task became easy as the Project 2 team of the BBMP was receptive to our suggestions towards conserving the biodiversity,” said Mr. Murali.

Residents of all the four apartment complexes were involved in bringing several modifications in the detailed project report on the lake. As many as 24 mounds have been created on the wetland, while a big island has been created at the water accumulation point. Residents collected Rs. 1 lakh and bought saplings of 70 different fruit-bearing and other trees that will be planted on the mounds and on the island.

Asked about working with the Government, Mr. Rao said: “If you benefit in the long run, you have to be proactive in all ways. You have to be practical in what you demand and should know what you will reasonably get.”

TDR can be enforced only if the owner is willing

Right to Information (RTI) documents have thrown up the surprising and hitherto well-hidden clause which brings relief to property owners who were likely to affect as the part of road widening project. RTI document states that properties can be acquired for road-widening only under TDR.The catch — which favours the home owners — comes in the next clause. TDR can be enforced only if the owner is willing. According to the current law, under Transferable Development Rights (TDR), if a person doesn’t want to give his/her property for road-widening, then he/she need not. If he isn’t willing, the only option open to BBMP is to forcibly acquire the property by paying current market rates under the Karnataka Land Acquisition Act.

In April, residents of Sarjapur Road received a notice from the BBMP, informing them about acquisition of a portion of their property for road widening. The notice says the road is to be widened by 45 feet and that the Apartment Association should submit land records using the Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) form. There is much anguish and hand wringing in the city about people losing valuable parts of their cherished homes to road-widening.

If the property owners are not willing give their land to BBMP for road-widening, the only option open to BBMP is to forcibly acquire the property by paying current market rates under the Karnataka Land Acquisition Act. The process of acquisition of properties under the Karnataka Land Acquisition Act is very expensive, tedious and time-consuming and as such not a route preferred by BBMP to acquire land for road-widening. If property owners isn’t willing, the only option open to BBMP is to forcibly acquire the property under the Karnataka Land Acquisition Act which is virtually unaffordable for a corporation.

Projects happening around Bellandur

Sarjapur ORR and most parts around it come under Ward No 150, more details right from the BBMP website.
http://180.92.173.207/bbmp-ward/frmView.aspx?wardid=150&type=project

Some info on Bellandur

Click on the link below for some info on Bellandur, let us know if this info was useful or what info would help you.


http://180.92.173.207/bbmp-ward/frmwardlist.aspx?wardid=150