BWSSB holds statutory right of user to lay sewers on private land without compulsory acquisition, subject to compensation.

The petitioners, private landowners in Bengaluru, challenged the actions of the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) in laying large-diameter sewage pipelines through their properties without prior land acquisition or payment of compensation

In WP 8296/2015, the petitioner alleged the Board utilized an eroded portion of his land by claiming it was part of a government drain

In WP 7754/2018, the petitioners challenged the constitutionality of Section 77 of the BWSSB Act, 1964, contending it allowed for the permanent deprivation of property without due process, violating Article 300A and Article 14 of the Constitution

The Board maintained it exercised a statutory "right of user" for essential public utility works which does not require transfer of ownership

1. Whether the BWSSB is empowered under Sections 39, 76, 77, and 92 of the BWSSB Act to lay pipelines on private property without acquiring ownership

2. Whether the "right of user" under Section 77 amounts to "acquisition" necessitating proceedings under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013

3. Whether Sections 39, 76, and 77 of the Act are unconstitutional under Articles 14 and 300A

4. The scope of "compensation" under the Act—specifically whether it is limited to physical damage or extends to "injurious affection" and diminution of property value

The Court applied the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board Act, 1964, specifically Section 39 (power to lay mains), Section 76 (restrictions on structures over sewers), Section 77 (right of user without acquisition), and Section 127A (acquisition of land).

Article 300A of the Constitution regarding the right to property and Article 14 regarding equality

It relied on M. Babanna v. State of Karnataka, which held that Section 77 allows laying pipelines without acquisition

Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd. v. Century Textiles & Industries Ltd., which distinguished a "statutory right of user" from acquisition of title

The Court reasoned that the BWSSB Act creates a "graded structure" of interference: temporary entry (Sec. 92), a statutory right of user for infrastructure (Sec. 77), and full acquisition (Sec. 127A)

It held that Section 77 is not unconstitutional as it provides "authority of law" under Article 300A for a non-possessory burden, provided it is in the larger public interest of urban sanitation

The Court analyzed the term "injurious affection" in Section 39(2) and "full compensation" in Section 77(2), concluding that even if title remains with the owner, the permanent restrictions under Section 76 (construction clearances) materially impair "beneficial enjoyment" and development potential

Therefore, while the Board needn't acquire the land, it must pay for the diminution in value caused by the permanent easement

The Court found that implementation was flawed in WP 8296/2015 due to the lack of survey/demarcation, which is a prerequisite to determining the extent of the burden

Compensation is not merely for surface damage but must reflect the permanent restriction on land use; on an equitable basis, the Court quantified this at 50% of the market value of the affected area

The Board must conduct a formal survey and demarcation of the petitioner’s land in WP 8296/2015; assess and pay compensation for "injurious affection" and "actual damage" via a reasoned order within four months; and where pipes are already laid, compensation must include interest from the date of laying

The prayers for removal of pipes and for a declaration of unconstitutionality were rejected