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The CAG's latest audit has found that BMTC has failed to protect 521 acres of its land from encroachment, despite recognising the issue as early as 2008. Out of BMTC's 1,400-acre land bank in Bengaluru Urban district, 653 acres remain vacant, with nearly 80% of it at risk. Various government agencies have taken over portions for schools, offices, and housing schemes. Efforts to fence off the land began only after the audit, but progress has been slow. The transport minister has assured that steps are being taken to safeguard these plots, but legal disputes and financial constraints continue to pose challenges.
A recent performance audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has revealed that the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) has failed to safeguard 521 acres of its land, leaving it vulnerable to encroachment. The issue dates back to 2008 when BMTC's board acknowledged its land holdings and began taking steps to secure vacant plots. However, 15 years later, CAG noted that these efforts have largely remained theoretical and are still "under process." Advertisement
BMTC owns a total of 1,400 acres in Bengaluru Urban district, with 653 acres still lying vacant. Around 80% of these vacant plots are under threat, with other government agencies taking over portions for various projects. For instance, in Mandur, 4 acres and 12 guntas of BMTC land have been used for setting up schools, a panchayat office, and a veterinary health centre. Similarly, in Bylakere, 11 acres of a 30-acre BMTC plot were allocated in 2017 for the Ashraya housing scheme, which provides shelter to economically weaker sections.
In an effort to prevent further encroachment, BMTC wrote to the state revenue department in December 2022, requesting boundary demarcation and fencing. However, the matter remains unresolved. CAG highlighted that BMTC only pursued this action after the audit raised concerns and that the process has remained incomplete even after a decade or more since the land was allotted.
Transport department sources indicated that many of these plots are located in areas with limited development potential, often featuring rocky terrain. A BMTC board member mentioned that the corporation has managed to secure prime real estate but has struggled with less valuable land.
Transport Minister R. Ramalinga Reddy acknowledged the concerns raised in the CAG report and assured that the state government is working to address the issue. He stated that fencing would begin based on financial availability. Reddy also mentioned that BMTC has appointed an estate manager to oversee its land holdings and is working with the revenue department to assess and categorise these plots for future use. However, challenges remain, as 108 acres of BMTC land are currently tied up in litigation, while another 31 acres have been encroached upon by private individuals and firms.
BMTC's struggle to protect its land underscores broader issues of poor land management and bureaucratic delays. Despite repeated warnings, efforts to secure these plots have remained largely ineffective, leading to encroachments by both government agencies and private entities. The appointment of an estate manager and collaboration with the revenue department are positive steps, but without prompt action and financial backing, these measures may fall short. If the government does not prioritise fencing and legal resolution, BMTC risks losing even more of its land, further complicating future urban planning and transport infrastructure development.
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