Nearly two weeks after the BBMP undertook demolition drive in the city to pull down illegal structures built on storm water drains, a former corporator has alleged that as many as 30 malls, 29 tech parks and 3 hospitals are built on encroached lands.

As opposed to 1923 encroachments listed by BBMP, former corporator and BJP spokesperson NR Ramesh claimed that the number of violations were as high as 14,000. He also claimed the findings to be the result of a study he conducted. 

“Of the 857km-long raja kaluve (storm water drain) network in the city, around 480km has been encroached upon. As many as 13 politicians, including a former minister and present legislators, 368 builders, 29 tech parks, 30 malls and three hospitals have encroached upon government land,“ a TOI report quoted Ramesh as saying.

He said that the encroachments are a bigger scam than what meets the eye.

Ramesh alleged that 13 netas, 368 builders and 30 malls are among those who have violated the norms. He submitted the list of violators to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

Ramesh went on to give an ultimatum to the CM to act on his complaint and said that a criminal case would be filed against the CM if he fails to act within a week’s time.

However, with Ramesh belonging to the opposition party, that the list he submitted only had names of ministers from the ruling Congress party did not go unnoticed.

Over a week after Bangalore Metropolitan Task Force (BMTF) registered FIR against 20 civic officials for clearing illegal structures over storm water drains, the officials are reportedly absconding.