Survey Shows Koramangala Has Violations Galore

Over 300 buildings flout norms
Survey Shows Koramangala Has Violations Galore
The Times of India

Bangalore: Engineers have found that there are more than 300 buildings with blatant violations in Koramangala. And this, from just an initial survey.
Three weeks ago, in response to a petition, the High Court had ordered that all buildings in Koramangala be surveyed for violations. Soon after, the BCC formed a team of 20 engineers, specially requisitioned from the PWD for the purpose. Over the last ten days, hectic inspection has revealed this alarming figure of 300. And what takes the cake is that the petitioners too had violated building norms.

Of the three petitioners who had questioned why civic bodies were silent on the issue, one petitioner apparently does not even possess a sanction plan for his building. A preliminary notice has been slapped and he has 15 days time to respond. The two other petitioners had 20 per cent violations in deviation from sanctioned plan.

Explains an engineer who was incharge of the meticulous surveys for every building: “This is just a tip of the iceberg. Koramangala has about 6,500 properties. These 300 buildings are just from the survey of 1st block to 7th block.’’

The BCC which began its survey work on September 13, has served 50 notices so far on errant buildings. In most of the buildings surveyed — the 92 ordered by the HC and others in the area as a whole — the paramount violations were in zoning norms. Buildings which had obtained sanctions for residential premises had overnight metamorphosed into commercial ones.

The next most rampant violation was in set-back area: “40 per cent of violations were of this type,’’ said engineers.
There were surprises too for the engineers — four buildings had 100 per cent violations, while two buildings had 150 per cent violations!

Step by step
On September 2, the High Court ordered a survey of all buildings in Koramangala, including the 92 buildings petitioned.
HC also directed corrective action against violations, directed BCC to initiate action as per law.
In an initial survey of the area, BCC engineers have found violations in more than 300 buildings.
Notices slapped on 50 buildings so far.