Alternative housing in Baiyyappanahalli for eligible families displaced from Kogilu Layout: CM

Nine days after Bangalore Solid Waste Management Limited (BSWML) demolished more than 150 houses in Kogilu Layout in Yelahanka, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday announced that the displaced families would be provided alternative houses in Baiyyappanahalli, located about 7 km from the demolition site.

He said the decision was taken on humanitarian grounds and that eligible beneficiaries would be allotted houses from January 1, though they had encorached upon government land.

The swift move came after a nudge from AICC general secretary (Organisation) K.C. Venugopal who spoke to the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar expressing “serious concern” over the demolitions.

On Monday, the Chief Minister reiterated that notices had been issued to all occupants, informing them that the land belonged to the government and directing them to vacate. “Despite this, they did not vacate,” he said, adding that houses had been built on a garbage landfill. “People have been living in illegal sheds there since around 2020–21,” he said.

“Illegal encroachment cannot happen without the knowledge of Tahsildars and other officials. I have instructed the Revenue Department and Corporation authorities to take action so that such incidents do not recur,” Mr. Siddaramaiah further said. He added that officials had been instructed to identify eligible families living in the illegal sheds and submit a list within two days.

“There were 1,087 houses in Survey No. 23 of Baiyyappanahalli and that, after verification, eligible families would be allotted houses in a multi-storey residential complex there. The cost of each house is about ₹11.20 lakh. State and Central government subsidies are available for general category beneficiaries as well as for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. The Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) will provide ₹5 lakh per house,” he said.

The Chief Minister added that after subsidies, general category beneficiaries would receive assistance of ₹8.7 lakh, while SC/ST beneficiaries would receive ₹9.5 lakh. The remaining amount of ₹2.5 lakh for the general category and ₹1.7 lakh for SC/STs, would be provided as loans, with Housing Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan agreeing to facilitate the lending process.

Verification of beneficiaries will be completed within two days, the Chief Minister said, adding that the Housing Minister had been entrusted with ensuring that the families are provided houses from January 1. “Although they were living in illegally built houses, we are making alternative arrangements on humanitarian grounds. We have built one lakh houses to provide shelter to the poor,” he said.

Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, during the discussion, further rejected allegations that Mr. Venugopal was interfering in the functioning of the State government, stating that the party leader had only offered advice.

Speaking to the media, Mr. Shivakumar said that Mr. Venugopal, as a senior leader of the party, was entitled to advise the government. “He has advised us in the past, he is advising us now, and he will continue to do so in the future. But he has not interfered in the administration,” he added.