Glaring building violations thrive

Glaring building violations thrive
New Indian Express

BANGALORE: The Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP) seems to have set up a complete mechanism to encourage violations of building bylaw. Builders, small and big, buy their way through violations and obtain occupancy certificates.

The BMP legal cell on the other hand has not been able to vacate HC orders that have stayed enforcement on thousands of buildings. The civic body also has a panel of leading advocates, which also seems to have not helped.

Some cases of violations in Richmond town sub-division would prove the point. This year, the assistant executive engineer of the area has issued final notices to seven building owners who violated the law but BMP action stopped there.

A property on 12/51, Udani Layout, Cambridge Road, Ulsoor, was issued a confirmatory order (CO), as there was 100 per cent deviation from the law in the construction of the ground floor, first floor and second floor.

In September, BMP sent notices to the owner of 5, G No, 6th street in Jogupalya to convert the stilt level reserved for car parking into a house. But there was no action.

Ditto is the case of property 48/4, Shirdi Saibaba Temple Road, Opp Akshay Bar in Ulsoor. Though the ground floor is put to unauthorised use, there has been no action.

Two more properties, 68 and 69 on Richmond Road, have 100 per cent violation of floor area ratio (FAR). BMP issued notices in March and no follow-up action was taken to rectify the error.

Further, the basement of No 30, Rest House Road, has been put to illegal use but BMP stopped after issuing a notice in September.

The AEE, Jayaramaiah, said that he had no power to enforce and he could only recommend action to the executive engineer who in turn will refer the case to BMTF. But, in the meantime, building owners obtained stay orders and the legal cell is pursuing the matter.