BENGALURU: The Comptroller and Auditor General’s (CAG) performance audit of 2024 revealed that Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) failed to adequately protect 521 acres of its land and left it “open to encroachment”. The issue dates back to 2008 when the BMTC board, in its 52nd meeting, acknowledged its land holdings and took initial steps to protect vacant plots.
However, as CAG notes, 15 years later, these measures have remained largely theoretical and “under process”. BMTC owns 1,400 acres of land in Bengaluru Urban district, with 653 acres still vacant.
About 80% of these vacant plots have been under threat. Other govt agencies have taken advantage by seizing portions for various schemes. In Mandur, 4 acres and 12 guntas of BMTC land is now being used for schools, a panchayat office, and a veterinary health centre.
Similarly, in Bylakere, 11 acres of a 30-acre plot designated to BMTC was earmarked for the Ashraya housing scheme in 2017 to accommodate economically weaker sections.
In Dec 2022, BMTC wrote to the state revenue department, requesting boundary demarcation to fence off the land and prevent further encroachment. But the matter remains unresolved.
CAG noted, “This shows that BMTC took up the issue with the revenue department only after audit observations and the process has remained incomplete even after 10 to 15 years of allotment.”
Sources within the transport department explained that many of these plots are in areas with little development potential, marked by boulders and rocky terrain. “Whatever prime real estate we have, BMTC has managed to keep that secure,” said a board member.
Transport minister R Ramalinga Reddy acknowledged the issues outlined in the CAG report, but said the govt is working to address the neglect of BMTC land. “The state govt is aware of the issue and will begin fencing work subject to financial availability,” he said.
Reddy revealed that BMTC had appointed an estate manager to oversee land parcels and is actively cataloguing them for future use. “The parcels of land are being categorised and assessed by the revenue department for BMTC’s future requirements,” he said. However, the situation remains complicated as CAG also reported that 108 acres of BMTC land are embroiled in litigation, while 31 acres have been encroached by private individuals and firms.
