Orion Mall in Yeshwanthpur encroached 3.9 acres of land. The BBMP launched a demolition drive from August 5. Close to 130 illegal constructions were demolished.
Among other illegal structures in the city, Orion Mall in Bengaluru too has violated Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Pallike (BBMP)'s rules and regulations.
Over the past one week, the BBMP has been knocking down houses of the middle class but it hasn't dared to upset the city's rich and influential.
Read more: Post long weekend, BBMP restarts demolition mission
Built over 39 acres, Brigade Gateway's Orion Mall at Yeshwanthpur encroached upon 3.9 acres of land which was originally set aside for storm water drains.
The BBMP had been illegally coerced into changing the route of the drains to accommodate the construction of the mall. According to the records, the land notified as 'B Kharab' land was set aside for industrial use.
Read more: 20 BBMP officials sacked for allowing encroachers to flourish
However, it has been said that BBMP converted the land illegally to allow commercial construction. The executive engineers and officers of the Urban Plan Division of the Mahalakshmipuram ward in 2011 were involved in the violation.
The then BBMP commissioner, the standing committee and the deputy commissioner submitted a report in this regard. Despite these attempts to rectify the error, the current BBMP officials failed to take any action against the mall owners.
The value of the 3.9 acres encroached by the mall is estimated to be close ₹110 crore.
Read more: BBMP demolishes Pathankot hero Niranjan's house
Former corporator NR Ramesh disclosed the illegalities of BBMP and has filed a complaint in the High Court.
The BBMP, which has been on a demolition drive for over a week, has knocked down a number of illegal structures in the city. Close to 130 illegal constructions was razed since August 5 and another 1000 illegal buildings have been marked for demolition near the storm water drains.
