In a major drive to secure land for crucial civic infrastructure, the Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited (BSWML) successfully reclaimed nearly five acres of prime property in north Bengaluru from illegal encroachers on Saturday. The land, with a staggering market value estimated at ₹80 crore, had been occupied by over 150 unauthorized structures.
Multi-Agency Operation Secures Valuable Government Land
The clearance operation was a coordinated effort involving multiple agencies. Teams from BSWML, the police, Fire and Emergency Services, the North City Corporation, the Revenue Department, the Bangalore Metropolitan Task Force (BMTF), and marshals participated in the large-scale action. Officials deployed substantial machinery, including 9 tractors and 9 JCB machines, to demolish the illegal sheds and houses that had sprung up on the property.
BSWML Chief Executive Officer Kareegowda stated that the reclaimed land, located in Survey No. 99 of Kogilu village in Yelahanka hobli, was originally earmarked for solid waste management infrastructure. Out of the total available area of 14 acres and 36 guntas at the site, approximately five acres had been illegally occupied.
From Encroachment to Eco-Friendly Infrastructure
The significance of this reclamation lies in its future use. According to BSWML officials, the land's government guidance value is around ₹15 crore, but its current market value is a massive ₹80 crore. This valuable space will no longer lie wasted.
The authority has planned to utilize the land to establish several key waste processing facilities. These include:
- A biomethanation plant
- Animal rendering and incineration units
- A tender coconut waste processing unit
- A sanitary waste processing facility
Senior officials, including the chief operations officer and various departmental heads, were present on-site to oversee the successful clearance drive.
A Boost for Bengaluru's Waste Management Plans
This decisive action represents a significant win for the city's civic body and its long-term planning. BSWML officials emphasized that the operation not only safeguarded government property worth several crores of rupees but will also help expedite planned waste management projects in the northern part of Bengaluru.
By converting the reclaimed land into a hub for advanced waste processing, the city aims to enhance its sustainability and efficiency in handling solid waste. The development of these facilities is expected to address specific waste streams and contribute to a more systematic and environmentally sound waste management ecosystem for Bengaluru.
