Sadashivnagar goes the Koramangala way

Sadashivnagar goes the Koramangala way
The Times of India

Bangalore: Netas and babus live there. Yet, Sadashivnagar is turning into a Koramangala: commercial invasion, building law violations, change in land use overnight.

And like Koramangala residents, denizens of Sadashivnagar, under the aegis of Sadashivnagar Residents’ Welfare Association, too have filed a PIL seeking a solution to the problem.

A survey taken up by residents on just a sample section has revealed that 75 structures have change in land use overnight, businesses have defied bylaws and violated zonal regulations. At best known for large colonial bungalows, parks and water bodies, it now boasts of the ultimate commercial triumph — IT companies and firms operating out of houses and villasturned offices. The area includes Palace Orchards and RMV Extension.

Explains S Ramanathan, past president of the residents’ association: “There are lot of IT companies, small financial firms operating from a residential layout/building. This being an area known for peace and quiet, noise pollution is something new to us. Our concern is to ensure that it remains residential. There should not be change in land use, there are few roads that had been spared the menace of traffic jams, thanks to overnight commercialisation.’’

A BDA official explains that change in land use is a problem they are encountering in most upmarket areas of Bangalore for the last two years. “There is some change in land use permitted under the provisions of Town and Country Planning Act but the ones this case is talking about are illegal changes. A non-domestic trade licence is issued and property tax is collected which is a quicker way of collecting revenue without giving a trade licence,’’ he acknowledges.
BMP commissioner K Jothiramalingam chooses to ignore the problem and says there is ample time to respond to the PIL. “If residents have filed a PIL then there must be a problem.’’