BMP needs tact in handling building violations

BMP needs tact in handling building violations
New Indian Express

BANGALORE: Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP) has a challenge in tackling the building violations in the city.

Even as the Supreme Court ordered the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) on both technical violations and on land use violations, the issue needs to be resolved tactfully. The Karnataka high court also had ordered BMP to take action in Koramangala.

However, tact is needed to identify the big real estate entities that take the civic body for a ride for greed rather that target individual households that build few square metres more as they cannot afford more land.

Major reason for violations in individual houses is that the land in the city figures among the costliest in the world. In BMP area a 30 X 40 site costs Rs 12 lakh on the minimum and Rs 60 lakh on the maximum and a middle class family struggles a lifetime to own that plot.

After statutary offsets, one is left with less than 1000 sq ft to build on. With an average cost of construction of Rs 20 lakh, that small dream home could cost Rs 40-80 lakh and the owner would be forced to compromise the building bylaws.

On the other hand, the commercial establishments and apartment complexes violate rules for the greed which runs in crores.

Building bylaw, environmental clearance, fire standards, basement restrictions and FAR rules are all given a go by in connivance of the officials. Even parks and playgrounds are encroached. BMP needs to act on such greedy builders but that requires a higher integrity at the civic body.

Further, the task of surveying the city for violations would also require a huge team of officials dedicated for the task for several months.

And the process of issuing notices and evaluation of extent of violations to see if they can be compounded.

However, the drive can set a precedent and deter further violations.