Shops in narrow lanes to face closure sans notice: BBMP

Bengaluru: Commercial establishments set up in areas where the road is less than 40 feet in width and in residential places have been a constant menace. Immense pressure from the residents’ associations has now forced the BBMP to carry out a drive to close these establishments without serving any notice.

A senior officer from BBMP said, “We have been directed by the government to close down shops and commercial establishments located in areas where the road width is less than 40 feet in width. At the same time, we are also closing down shops, which do not have valid trade licence and are a hindrance in residential places. This time, we are directly closing them down without issuing any kind of notice.”

“Earlier, we used to issue notices and give them some time to relocate and shift the materials and this was an advantage for the owners, who used to make use of the time and bring in influence from local leaders and pressurise the BBMP to not close the shops. Now, the government has asked us not to give them any kind of notice and just seal the shops,” added the officer. Another officer mentioned that they will soon carry out a drive to ensure that no shops are operating without valid trade licence and located in a place where the road in front of the shop is less than 40 feet in width. “We will also crack down on shops and establishments located in the basements of the buildings, which are supposed to be meant for parking of vehicles,” he said. He added that the directions have come from the government after a detailed report about illegal commercialisation was submitted to them by the residents’ welfare association.