In a massive early morning operation on Saturday, the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) launched a high-stakes demolition drive in Srinivasapura’s Kogilu Layout. A fleet of six earthmovers (JCBs) roared into action at the crack of dawn, targeting approximately 200 illegally constructed houses built on encroached government land.
Massive Security and Coordination
The operation was carried out under the direct supervision of top GBA officials, with a formidable security presence of over 300 personnel, including local police and GBA marshals, to prevent any law-and-order disruptions.
The demolition focuses on a significant tract of Gomal land (grazing land), which had been officially handed over to the civic body by the district administration for public infrastructure and development. However, over recent years, unauthorized developers and individuals had encroached upon this land, erecting numerous small houses and temporary structures.
Cracking Down on Encroachments
According to GBA officials, the occupants had been served multiple notices to vacate the premises, as the structures were built without any sanctioned plans or legal titles.
- The Land: Government-owned Gomal land in Kogilu Layout, Yelahanka zone.
- The Action: Complete removal of unauthorized settlements to reclaim public property.
- The Scale: 200 houses identified for demolition to restore the land to the GBA.
"The land was designated for public use, but it was occupied illegally," said a senior GBA enforcement officer. "This drive is a clear message that encroachment on government property will not be tolerated. We are reclaiming this space to ensure it is used for the city's planned development."
Displaced Families and Local Impact
The scene at Kogilu Layout was one of distress as families were seen scurrying to salvage their belongings before the machines moved in. While many residents claimed they had "purchased" the small plots from local brokers, officials clarified that no such sale of Gomal land is legally valid.
This demolition is part of a broader, intensified crackdown by the newly formed Greater Bengaluru Authority to clear long-standing encroachments and reclaim "buffer zones" and government lands across the city's peripheral layouts.
