HC orders construction of houses for EWS dwellers in 2 years

The

High Court on Friday has ordered Maverick Holdings and Investment Company, and

the Bruhat Bengalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to finish constructions of new

buildings for 1,500 dwellers of Economically Weaker Section (EWS) quarters at Ejipura

in two years.A

Division Bench headed by Chief Justice Vikramjit Sen issued this order on a

public interest litigation petition filed by original allottees of flats complaining

that they are forced to live in temporary sheds since 2007 and there are no

basic amenities in the area, causing a lot of problems.The

bench further directed the Maverick Holdings and BBMP to construct a community hall,

park and hospital along with the flats.The authorities

have been asked to evict the dwellers who are presently living in Ejipura and

shift them to Hebblur, and the ones who are not willing to move needs to be given

a compensation of Rs 30,000.The

court has also ordered the authorities to evict illegal occupants with the help

of police force.During

the hearing, BBMP beneficiaries and Maverick Holdings submitted a joint agreement

which stated that 26 blocks would be constructed in 15.6 acres land and since 250

families were not willing to shift to Hebblur they will be given Rs 30,000

demand draft or check.Two

lifts will be constructed in each blocks, out of which one would function 24/7

and there will be separate lifts for physically handicapped. It further stated

that parking facility would be provided in the basement of all the blocks, 7.28 acres kept for the park,

community hall and primary heath centre and anganavadi.

It further stated that beneficiaries should not sell the house till the

completion of 20 years. Accepting the joint agreement Justice Sen directed to follow

all the things mentioned in the agreement and disposed of the petition.It

can be remembered that, the BBMP had constructed 1,512 flats spread over 42

blocks and allotted them to EWS in 1996. However, a few blocks collapsed in

2003 and 2007, killing some residents.Later,

all 42 blocks were demolished after it was found that they were unfit for

living due to substandard construction.Later,

allottees filed petition before the high court alleging BBMP for leasing 15 acres out of 22 acres to private parties for construction

of commercial complex and BBMP started building houses in remaining 7 acres.

Instead of constructing 1,512, it is constructing 128 plots

extra to accommodate some officials and it was directed to build houses in ground

floor plus two floors but Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike is constructing 9

floors in the areas, petitioners contended.