BMP turns up the demolition volume

BMP turns up the demolition volume
To Target Basement Law Violators In The Next 3 Months
The Times of India

Bangalore: The Koramangala demolitions were just a teaser of a blockbuster that BMP commissioner K Jairaj is unleashing in the next three months. Figuring in the BMP’s crosshairs are the city’s basements in commercial areas which have violated norms.

Acute parking woes provided the trigger for the demolition drive. While the BMP plans on private-public partnership to set up parking complexes are on, the first step is to evacuate basements housing commercial establishments and make way for parking. According to building bylaws, the basements should just be for parking. They’re honoured more in breach.

Is clearing out a basement all that easy? “All these establishments are illegal. It may be delayed, (but) it certainly can’t be stopped,’’ Jairaj told The Times of India.

The city has over 50 basements in upmarket areas that are illegally used for commercial activities, mostly to run pubs and restaurants. The BMP’s eviction operation two years ago was stonewalled by hotel owners, who secured stay orders. Now, the BMP has steered clear of litigation and shortlisted the establishments that will face the axe.

Traffic Engineer and Safety Trainers chairman M N Srihari suggests that the BMP get a caveat before pressing ahead with its plan. “Otherwise, they’ll end up fighting stay orders since some of these establishments are run by influential people.’’

Srihari said the BMP should monitor new constructions and nip the problem in the bud so that demolitions could be avoided. “During plan approvals, all builders depict basement as parking area; but that changes once they get the BMP seal. Residents’ associations and vigilant citizens must alert the BMP whenever they spot encroachments in basements.’’

While each house should keep aside space to park 1.5 or 2 cars per family, commercial areas must allot parking areas for employees and visitors. Problems arise when residential properties — as tellingly evident in areas such as Jayanagar, Koramangala and Indiranagar — are rented out to commercial establishments. Consequently, parking requirements multiply, forcing some vehicles into narrow bylanes.

Ravindra led the charge

Retired chief secretary and former BMP commissioner A Ravindra earned the sobriquet “the Khairnar of Bangalore” when he went all out against building-law violators. During his tenure, several basements housing pubs were evicted to make way for parking. But the builders’ lobby got better of the noble intent, and got Ravindra shifted out of BMP.