The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), Bengaluru’s civic body, has recently listed 29 buildings in the Chickpet assembly constituency for demolition. This decision comes after these structures were identified as unauthorized constructions or having significant deviations from approved building plans. The move is part of BBMP's broader crackdown on illegal constructions across Bengaluru, which have been a long-standing issue in the city.
Details of the Affected Areas
The targeted buildings are spread across three wards:
Ward 163 (VV Puram)
Ward 164 (Vidya Peeta)
Ward 165 (Hombegowda Nagar)
BBMP officials revealed that these structures include cases of illegal additional floors, construction on encroached land, or violations of zoning regulations. Out of a total of 65 identified violations in the Chickpet constituency, these 29 buildings were deemed severe enough to warrant demolition.
Inspection and Enforcement Measures
A team comprising Assistant Engineers, Assistant Executive Engineers, and officials from the Town Planning Department is actively inspecting the identified sites. Their tasks include:
Measurement Verification: Recording deviations from approved plans.
Issuing Notices: Violators have been served with legal notices as part of the process to enforce compliance.
The BBMP aims to address these violations systematically by ensuring accountability and adherence to city planning norms.
Concerns and Skepticism
Despite the BBMP's proactive measures, the move has been met with skepticism from residents, activists, and urban planners. Concerns include:
Lack of Action Post-Notices: Residents allege that similar notices in the past have not led to actual demolitions, raising doubts about the BBMP's resolve.
Judicial Intervention Required: Activists suggest judicial oversight to ensure that demolition actions are carried out effectively.
Accountability of Officials: Activists also demand investigations into how these illegal constructions were permitted in the first place, calling for action against any involved officials.
Background of Illegal Constructions in Bengaluru
Unauthorized constructions and deviations from approved plans have plagued Bengaluru for years. Such violations not only strain the city's infrastructure but also pose safety risks to residents. Civic authorities like the BBMP face criticism for failing to curb these practices effectively, often being accused of corruption or inefficiency.
Next Steps
The BBMP has reiterated its commitment to enforcing city planning regulations and ensuring that violators are held accountable. However, public faith in the implementation process remains low without visible actions, such as demolitions or penalties for erring builders.
Disclaimer
This blog post is based on information published in The New Indian Express on December 19, 2024. For complete details, please refer to the original article here.
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