Pics: Ramesh Pandith
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (PS)
 
Mangalore, Mar 14: Congress leader Vijaykumar Shetty on Wednesday March 14  alleged chief minister Sadananda Gowda of encroaching land in the city.

At a press meet held on Wednesday, he said that DSK complex, a six-storey commercial building built beside National Highway 66 at Kottara Chowki of Bangra Kulur village, has encroached six metres of access road which leads to Jalligudde.

"Gowda purchased the land two years ago and a 2,000-sq ft building was erected, though permission was sought for 1400 sq ft. In a land conversion appeal submitted to the DC (order no cdslna (3) C R 175/2009-10 dated 14-7-2009) also the road map was shown. However, now people are not allowed to use this road thus forcing them to use another access road to reach NH 66," he said.
 
Mangalore City Corporation had constructed a concrete bridge across this access road, now only used by the owners of this building, he said. He also complained that MUDA officials, though they direct the common people to set aside 'set-back' areas in 2 or 5 cent land, in this case the MUDA officials have been silent. "Though ground floor is reserved for parking, it is rented out to a two-wheeler garage-cum-service centre by this building owner," he said.
 
Shetty said that the Congress leaders would file a complaint with the Lokayukta in this regard. "Congress has decided to take up this issue now as people who are suffering due to this could not come forward to raise their voice, as they are living under 'pressure'," he added.
 
Former mayor Ajith Kumar said that the owners of this building violated the rules and constructed the building with deviations, and hence MCC commissioner should initiate the process of demolition of the building.
 
However in his version, Ajith Kumar Rai, caretaker of this building said that no encroachment has been done by the building owner.

In a letter to the reporters, he stated that DVS purchased the land on July 17, 2009 clearing all legal procedures. Land measuring 16 cents was purchased and building is constructed on 14 cents, setting aside set-back area. Completion certificate also has also been obtained from the local administration.

"When the land was purchased by him there was no record of any road. It was a private land and public cannot claim the existence of any road here as there is no provision for such a road. However, on humanitarian grounds even now public are allowed to use this road," he said.