Residents rally against building

Residents rally against building
The Times of India

Bangalore: Rules pertaining to change of land use stress on the need to take residents’ objections into consideration. But the planning authorities give little preference to this clause. Residents are feeling helpless in their struggle against a commercial building in Koramangala III block in violation of rules.

The huge commercial building is on a 80 X 120 ft residential plot. On enquiries, residents found out that the building being constructed will house an IT firm. Several representations to civic agencies about the blatant violation of rules have yielded no results.

The Town and Country Planning Act permits change of land use only when there are topographical/cartographical errors, changes/omissions and such conversions are in public interest.

BDA said change of land use permission is not given if the area is predominantly residential. In case, there are commercial constructions, the change can be considered. “We will take residents’ views if it is legitimate. But our decision will not be purely based on their objections’’.