Illegal structures have crept up in every nook and corner of India’s tech capital – Bengaluru. Civic agencies like the BBMP and BDA have tried to curb this problem by disconnecting electricity and water supply connections, but these measures have not helped much.

BBMP Conducts Survey Of Illegal Buildings

With illegal buildings mushrooming in Bengaluru, the standing committee on town planning in the BBMP recently conducted inspections in different zones of the city. The results were alarming to say the least.

High-rise buildings had come up in areas without proper access roads. Buildings were being constructed without approved sanction plans from the civic authorities. Many builders sought permission to build ground + 3 structures only to build more floors in total violation of building norms. Many of these illegal buildings had even encroached upon public roads, drains and even footpaths.

Authorities say that almost all of the illegal buildings surveyed were in violation of the Karnataka Municipal Act, with deviations from specifications putting pressure on roads, sewage lines and other civic amenities.

Government Promises Strict Action

Now, the government has decided to crack the whip, authorizing the Bangalore Metropolitan Task Force (BMTF) to take strict action against errant builders. What’s more, lists of buildings found to be flouting norms have been prepared and authorities are warning homebuyers to stay away from purchasing homes here. The BBMP commissioner is also writing to financial institutions to discourage them from sanctioning loans to buildings that not got all their approvals in place.

While these measures are sure to do some good, even the authorities admit that curbing illegal buildings in the city is a tough task. One of the biggest obstacles is of course the corruption present at the ward and zonal level, with most violations happening under the watch of ward executive engineers and assistant executive engineers (AEEs) who never follow up after giving initial warnings.

Now even the Chief Minister has taken note of the problem and asked for an action-taken-report by civic agencies on the issue. The BBMP will have to solve this issue soon, or it is quite certain that heads will roll.

Reporter : Stacy Pereira
Web Editor : Nikhil Narayan Sivadas