Bengaluru: Frustrated by the lack of action by BBMP authorities over complaints reported by citizens to officials about illegal constructions in their neighbourhood, groups of residents of Whitefield have started approaching the courts for action against BBMP. In one instance, a Writ Petition was filed in High Court by a group of residents from Borewell Road who submitted details of constructions taking place in their neighbourhood, citing violations of Building By-Laws of the BBMP.
The High Court acted immediately and issued a Stay Order on the constructions and directed the BBMP to issue a report on the constructions taking place. After several reminders, the BBMP has submitted an affidavit that states that the buildings under construction have 100% Violations. Now the residents expect the Court to issue demolition orders.
In another instance, WP 8968/2023 was filed by a group of residents about a violation in Brooke fields Layout. The work has been stopped.
There are reports of residents who have filed complaints with the Lokayukta against constructions adjacent to their plots which violate byelaws. Action yet to be taken.
Against a background of rampant violation, these are just a few instances where residents have taken recourse to court. Almost all buildings under construction are unauthorised, as they do not display Plan Approval boards outside their compounds, which is an essential conditionality for the plan approval itself, or many buildings may not even have building plan approvals.
Since violations are so widespread and the BBMP officials do not act to prevent them or demolish illegally constructed buildings or portions of buildings, the city is witnessing widespread lawlessness due to overcrowding and civic collapse of all residential areas in Whitefield and across Bengaluru.
What is important to note is that despite issuing demolition orders, the BBMP officials are not carrying out these orders. In one instance after BBMP Chief Commissioner’s order REF: PR/43/2022-23 dtd 21-7-2022, a demolition order was issued by Executive Engineer Mahadevapura in March 2023, but demolition has not yet been carried out. This kind of dragging of feet by officials is also emboldening violators.