CDP will erode charm of residential areas

CDP will erode charm of residential areas
New Indian Express

BANGALORE: Bangaloreans are up in arms over the BDA’s Comprehensive Development plan (CDP), which shows some residential areas as mixed-use zones. This means that commercial establishments can be set up in residential areas.

The transformation zone is proposed for the expansion of the Central Business District (CBD) allowing commercial, retail and high-density apartments buildings. This has left the residents of these areas worried that their areas will not be areas of serenity any more.

Though there are some commercial establishments or linear shops in some residential areas, residents say the internal areas are still free from them. For instance, they cite the district covering the Richmond Town area, which is to be converted into a transformation zone.

‘‘Of course there are commercial set-ups but more than 30 per cent of the area is still predominantly residential in nature,’’ says S C Kari Gowda, former director, Town Planning Department.

The proposal says that 30 per cent of a total built up area can be used for commercial purposes. ‘‘If this calculation has to be considered, in some cases it may come up to 300 sq mts which is nothing but a total commercial area,’’ he says.

Added to that, Floor Area Ratio (FAR) is also increased from 1.5 per cent to 3.25 per cent. The FAR is directly related to the width of the road. ‘‘In a narrow road, a tall building will look ridiculous,’’ he says.

The narrow interior roads could be clogged with increasing traffic if commercial activities are allowed.

‘‘The roads are already battered by the congestion and traffic bottlenecks. Moreover parking will also pose a grave problem,’’ he says.

For simple residents the serenity and calm of the area, which they live is what matters the most. ‘‘If my neighbour opens a nursing home, am I supposed to gaze at the gloomy faces after a day’s tired work.’’ says R C Dutta, a resident of Sanjaynagar.

Malleshwaram residents have come together to object the proposal and are set to stage a protest. ‘‘We don’t want all our roads to be turned into Sampige road.

Our residential area is being washed out by the commercial set ups there,’’ says Kusuma Ramaswamy, a resident. She adds that it is just a way of making illegal establishments legal.

S S Ranganathan of Indiranagar is worried if it will leave any lung space.