Demolitions here and deviations there

Demolitions here and deviations there
The Times of India

Bangalore: Even as civic authorities bulldozed buildings with violations in Koramangala, there are a few dozen mushrooming with deviations galore.

For instance, a hundred yards away from the razed down Haleema Centre, a building is being constructed at 5th block, 1st cross Koramangala, with the following deviations — the building has a sanction plan only for residential purposes but has been constructed for commercial usage. The setback area has been eaten into entirely.

Yet another building in the vicinity of the 5th block which got a plan sanction just a few months ago boasts of setback violations. The shocking reckoner is this — despite the high court order, as recently as in September 2005, buildings with violations to the extent of 50 to 120 per cent have mushroomed. Plan sanctions for these have been given as late as January, February and constructions have started subsequently.

But is the BMP aware and awake to these dichotomies? Joint commissioner (east) N Jayaram who galvanised the demolitions at Koramangala last week, acknowledges that if there are 50 new constructions happening, more than 40 of them have some form of deviations. “But it is typical of citizens, when attacked, to point elsewhere and say — why not take up that building, his construction has more deviations.’’

The pet peeve of residents however is that this could have been entirely averted. Explains J Ramesh, secretary of Koramangala Welfare Association, “The same BMP officials accept the plan for sanction and encourage you to have deviations during construction. They could have prevented these violations even a few months ago rather than wait to come up with a cure.’’

Something that another resident Reji Thomas seconds. “This is intentional blindness. How can buildings with violations come up even after a high court order? ‘’ he asks. He points out how according to bylaws buildings on sites measuring 40 X 60 cannot be constructed beyond 2,400 sqft. Whereas even a cursory glance at new constructions shows how they are building beyond 3,000 sqft. BMP commissioner K Jairaj reasons that this dichotomy is happening because people are taking the law into their own hands. “I have constituted a vigilance team which will screen all zoning activity plans, engineers will inspect constructions to check if they are according to plans. This will help nip it in the bud.’’