The shops have now come up on the CA site
Encroachment: AECS Layout Welfare Association in Bengaluru turns CA site into commercial hub
Bengaluru
The Aeronautical Engineers Cooperative Society (AECS) Layout Welfare Association (AECS LWA) has allegedly encroached upon a Civic Amenity (CA) site and constructed unauthorised commercial spaces in violation of multiple laws. A complaint has been registered with the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). The layout is located in Kundalahalli in East Bengaluru.
Interestingly, the functionaries of AECS LWA or Residents Welfare Association (RWA) have admitted that the shops were established on the CA site, citing that the space has also been used to house a BBMP ward office and religious shrines.
Layout plans accessed by blrpost.com show that the CA site falls under Survey Numbers 131/1 and 131/3 of the layout, which was established in the 1990s. The Residents’ Welfare Association was formed in 1993. The survey numbers pertain to Kundalahalli village. The layout spans three villages: Kundalahalli, Thubarahalli, and Chinappanahalli, in Bengaluru East Taluk.
Currently, about six shops have been set up on the site earmarked for a park or playground for residents. These shops, including Fashion Craft and Kuruk Tindi, pay rent to the RWA, which is registered under the Karnataka Societies Registration Act, 1960.
A member of the RWA opposing the encroachment stated that the commercial structures were built on a 4,800 sq. ft portion of the CA site about a year ago. These spaces are now rented out. According to the RWA by-laws, the association has no authority to undertake commercial activities.
Documents also reveal that the RWA has not convened an Annual General Meeting (AGM) in several years. In February, members wrote to the association’s member secretary, urging them to hold AGMs, conduct audits, and organise elections. A member said “this is blatant violation of the bylaw and the RWA collecting rent amounts to illegality.”
Residents have also raised complaints in the official ward committee WhatsApp group, tagging BBMP officials and demanding the encroachment be cleared. However, no action has been initiated so far.
H. Venkatesha, Secretary of the association, admitted that the location is indeed a CA site. He stated that prior to the commercial development, the BBMP had already set up ward offices there, and three shrines were also established. Since the site was lying vacant, the RWA decided to utilise it for commercial purposes. He further alleged that the local MLA played a significant role in facilitating the construction on the CA land. Venkatesha also advised against reporting the issue in the media.
A senior BBMP official said, “This encroachment hasn’t come to our notice yet. Residents can formally raise the complaint with the BBMP head office, and the issue will be addressed.”