BMP soft on building law violators

BMP soft on building law violators
New Indian Express

BANGALORE: Even as the Supreme Court ordered the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to seal off the premises of commercial establishments which have violated land use norms, the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP) is dilly dallying with the idea.

While a legislation to regularise the violations is pending with the government, BMP seems to be waiting for violators to get an exit route.

On Friday, the MCD resumed sealing of shops in residential areas of the capital after a gap of over three months, targeting mainly hazardous and polluting units, amidst protests from the traders. The deadline for sealing banquet halls functioning in residential areas has been extended till Sept 7.

However, BMP has not taken any comprehensive action except isolated demolitions in Koramangala following a Public Interest Litigation (PIL). There was another PIL seeking action on land use violations in upmarket Sadashivanagar.

On the other hand, the civic body had been lobbying to get the government to bring a law to regularise the violations without bothering to identify and punish officials who allowed violations to occur. Last week, BMP commissioner K Jairaj met the governor regarding the proposed bill.

The civic body recently designated a joint commissioner for enforcement but the officer, N Jayaram, so far has not acted on any case. BMP has surveyed 6,000 properties in Koramanagala for violations while basements supposed to be used for parking are put for commercial use.

Jayaram told this website's newspaper that BMP would act on land use violations in Sadashivanagar in two weeks. "Apart from land use violations, we will also act on buildings which have converted basements into shops and hotels. About 30 establishments on MG Road, Residency Road and in Jayanagar have been identified," he added.