India’s IT capital – Bengaluru, has been witnessing a construction boom. While this is normally a cause for cheer, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is far from impressed. The agency claims that most of the buildings coming up in the city are illegal and is now cracking the whip. We list 5 steps the BBMP is taking to control illegal construction in the city.

1. The BBMP has written to the Urban Development Department (UDD) asking them to disconnect permanent electricity & water supply to buildings that are found to be in violation of building norms.

2. The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) and electricity supply companies (BESCOMS) have been asked to only permit temporary water & electricity connections to buildings under construction.

3. The BBMP has also asked the agencies to hike the rates of temporary connections, making it more expensive than permanent connections. The agency hopes this will act as a deterrent and ensure that only serious builders get into the space.

4. Once construction is complete, the builder will have to approach the BBMP to get the Occupation Certificate (OC) and only then will they be allowed a permanent connection. The agency hopes that this will give them enough breathing room to check if a building has been illegally constructed.

5. In cases where the builder is found guilty of bending the rules, permanent electricity & water supply connection will not be given. The BBMP may even take action to demolish the building if required.

While the plan may look good on paper, experts are unsure if the BBMP will be able to effectively carry it out. Deep-rooted corruption in the system could see this become a money-making scheme for unscrupulous bureaucrats, while turning into yet another barrier for development. Instead the government should come up with a system where different government agencies work together to help prevent this menace once and for all.

Reporter : Stacy Pereira, NDTV
Web Editor : Nikhil Narayan Sivadas, NDTV