Bengaluru: After a four-day standoff, 10 shops on Indiranagar 9th Main, HAL Second Stage, which were sealed by BBMP for zoning violation, reopened on Friday.
The shops were allowed to lift shutters after BBMP officials visited the spot and ascertained that the width of the 9th Main road was over 40 feet. As per the rules shops selling basic daily need items can function on such roads.
The shops reopened in the presence of the local MLA S. Raghu, who assured the shopkeepers to solve the issue at the earliest. However, a bar on the stretch has been given two weeks time to shift.
BBMP Joint Commissioner (East zone) Ashok told Deccan Chronicle, “Our officials visited the spot and measured the road width and found it was above 40 feet. According to the ancillary laws and rules, shops selling commodities for daily household needs can operate on these roads. But there is a bar located on that road and we have told the owner to shut it down permanently. He has sought two weeks time to shift and on humanitarian grounds we have granted it. But if after two weeks we find the bar there, we will lock it down.”
When asked whether these shop owners had trade licence, another senior BBMP officer said, “They had the licence, but last year it was not renewed due to the ongoing issue. Now, we have told them to submit the required forms and we will inspect the shops before granting licence.”
Residents upset: Dr Srinivas, President, Social Amenities Association, HAL Second Stage, has termed the reopening of the shops as a blatant violation of law.
He said, “Once a government body has sealed the shops after an order is issued, they can be reopened only after another order is issued. But no such thing happened. We will write a detailed letter to the Joint Commissioner in this regard. All this was not done in accordance with the law. We will wait for his reply and if we do not get, we will take the next course of legal action.”
He also took exception to MLA supporting the shopkeepers. “We are the residents and voters, but our local MLA has been supporting these establishments, which is unfair. We are fine with the shops selling basic and daily need items for households, but they should have valid licence and operate according to the laws. They cannot encroach upon the road or pavements. We will soon decide on our next step.”
