Residents oppose plan to open pubs

Residents oppose plan to open pubs
Bangalore, DHNS:
"There is already a liquor shop on Walton Road. With two more pubs and restaurants coming up in the locality, drunken brawls will increase and disturb the peace of this area," complained Dr K O Mammen, a resident.


The residents of Walton Road have objected to the proposed opening of two pubs and restaurants in their area.

While BBMP officials say they have granted permission to convert a residential premises into commercial establishment, sources in the Health Department say they have not received applications seeking licenses.

The irked residents argue that Walton Road is primarily a residential locality though by an aberration of town planning, some plots on this road have been granted change of land use for commercial purposes.

“There is already a liquor shop on Walton Road. With two more pubs and restaurants coming up in the locality, drunken brawls will increase and disturb the peace of this area,” complained Dr K O Mammen, a resident.

Apart from this, residents also state that as Walton Road is very narrow, traffic congestion is a regular menace here. The vehicular density will increase after these joints come into existence and add to the chaos.

“These joints don’t have any space specified for parking within the premises. Traffic and parking problems will multiply on Walton Road and Lavelle Road, especially after the UB City is commissioned,” rues K S Ramaswamy.

“Certain extensions added to accommodate these pubs and restaurants in a building, appear to be prima facie illegal and in violation of the building by laws,” alleged Bharati Govindaraj, another resident.

Residents have already written to the officials concernedabout these problems in June this year. But, they express their helplessness. “The owners of the pubs and restaurants have their building plan legally approved for commercial purposes. The BBMP can’t do anything about it,” said Assistant Engineer of BBMP, Idrus.

Sources in the Health Department said the parties concerned have not applied for license to run a restaurant or a pub on Walton Road. The official said that even if they do, there is no question of issuing a license as it is a residential area.