Over 150 families left homeless after demolition drive in Yelahanka

More than 150 families were left homeless after government authorities carried out a demolition drive at Kogilu Layout in Yelahanka early on Saturday, stating that the houses encroached government land earmarked for solid waste management projects.

Residents said the drive started around 4 a.m., when earthmovers arrived and people were asked to vacate immediately. Many alleged they were not given enough time to collect their belongings or important documents.

“They came with the equipment and told us to vacate the houses. We were not even given time to take our documents,” said Jaitun Bi, an elderly woman whose house was among those demolished.

“After the drive, the families, including pregnant women and children, are now staying in a nearby government school playground,” said Shazia A., adding that they tried reaching MLA Krishna Byre Gowda, but he refused to listen to their concerns.

Another resident, Sayed Mustafa, said electricity supply to the area had been cut three days ago. “We have Aadhaar cards, voter IDs, ration cards and even electricity bills that carry this address. We have been living here for 30 years. How can we be evicted without any prior notice?” he asked. 

According to residents, more than 100 families have been living in the settlement – Waseem Layout and Fakir Colony, for over 30 years, depending largely on seeking alms or other informal work for their livelihood. With their shelters demolished, families were seen sitting in the open, unsure of where to go or how to manage during the cold nights.

Members of Dhudiyuva Janara Vedike, a forum of working people, arranged food for the displaced families. The members demanded that the government make immediate arrangements for shelter, provide permanent housing under the Rajiv Gandhi Housing Scheme, and compensate families for the loss of their homes.  

Govt. land occupied illegally: BSWML

In an official release, the Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited (BSWML) said the demolition drive was conducted to clear encroachments on government land. BSWML Chief Executive Officer Karee Gowda said around five acres of land near Kogilu Bande, earmarked for the BSWML projects, had been illegally occupied.

“The land forms part of Survey No. 99 of Kogilu village in Yelahanka Hobli, which measures a total of 14 acres and 36 guntas. The BSWML plans to develop facilities on the site, including a bio-methanation plant, animal rendering and incineration units, a tender coconut waste processing unit and a sanitary waste processing facility,” the official said.

According to the BSWML, more than 150 unauthorised temporary sheds and houses had come up on the encroached portion of land.

A team led by senior officials cleared the structures and reclaimed the land. The drive was carried out with police protection and involved personnel from the BSWML, the Fire and Emergency Services, North City Corporation, the Revenue Department, the Bengaluru Metropolitan Task Force, along with 70 marshals and around 200 personnel.

The BSWML said the guidance value of the reclaimed land is around ₹15 crore, while the current market value was estimated at nearly ₹80 crore, adding that the land would now be used for the proposed solid waste management projects.