At the corner of Siddapura 1st Main Road and Varthur-Whitefield Main Road, a prime property known as Survey No. 7 once held a beautiful 22-gunta water body known as Siddapura Tavare Kola or lotus pond. This scenic pond, remembered fondly by residents, has now disappeared due to urbanization and neglect.
In 2015, the civic group Whitefield Rising (WR) noticed the pond was filling with debris. They collaborated with local officials, including the then Corporator of Hagadur Ward, S Udayakumar, and the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), to rejuvenate the pond. Despite initial efforts, including fencing the area and securing Rs 30 lakh for the project, the pond’s restoration faced significant setbacks due to unauthorized encroachments and ongoing dumping.
In 2019, WR discovered that four guntas of the pond land had been awarded as compensation for land relinquished elsewhere. This revelation spurred further legal and civic action. Despite filing RTI queries and holding discussions, the land remained unprotected. Construction activities began on the land, prompting WR to file a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in May 2023. The High Court dismissed the PIL, citing historical land use patterns, but directed BBMP to ensure proper approvals for any construction.
Despite setbacks, WR has appealed to the Supreme Court, and construction on the land has been repeatedly halted due to lack of approvals. The ongoing legal battle highlights the need for transparency in governance and the importance of community-driven conservation efforts.
The Significance of Public Utility Land – Kharab B
Public utility lands, like the Siddapura Tavare Kola, are designated for communal uses such as parks, schools, and water bodies. These Kharab B lands, even if initially used for grazing (Mufat Kaval), cannot be legally allotted to private entities as per the Karnataka Land Revenue Act 1964. The case underscores the tension between development and environmental conservation, emphasizing the necessity to preserve such public spaces amidst urban expansion.