Bengaluru demolitions: Demolish building violations too, says activist

BENGALURU: The BBMP has been bulldozing its way to clear encroachments on storm water drains, despite stiff opposition from the public. But when it comes to violations by commercial complexes and other structures, the Palike has turned a blind eye.

In one such instance, though a resident of Koramangala 7th Block has been complaining about a commercial building blocking ventilation to his house, no action has been taken. With a request from the resident, a Right To Information (RTI) activist, Mr B.T. Britto, waged a legal war against the builder, Meghana Properties, for putting up additional structures in contravention of building bylaws.

Mr Britto told Deccan Chronicle that the builder has put up additional three floors that have not been shown in the building plan. The builder had obtained permission to build two floors, but raised five floors, including a commercial complex. Mr Britto, after obtaining the building plan and other documents through an RTI application, approached the BBMP seeking demolition of the deviated portion as it was affecting one of the neighbours.

The Palike issued a confirmatory order under Section 321 (3) of the Karnataka Municipal Corporation (KMC) Act 1976 on June 5, last year. But even after the order, neither the BBMP nor the builder has brought down the unauthorised construction, he said.

The owner failed to reply to the notice. He approached the Karnataka Appellate Tribunal challenging the order and alleged that the vested interests were against him, but did not get any relief from the Tribunal.