Illegal buildings thrive in Bengaluru despite opposition

18 Jun 2024 CW Team

In October 2023, the Joint Director of Town Planning (JDTP) and Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) identified 38 illegal buildings in a layout in Whitefield. These buildings were pinpointed during a crackdown on unauthorised construction activities in the area.

The civic agency was expected to initiate actions to demolish these illegal structures within 117 days, as mandated by a directive issued by the commissioner in July the previous year.

However, residents pointed out that nearly seven months have passed since the special drive commenced in White Rose layout, and no buildings have been demolished yet.

According to Sandeep Anirudhan of Namma Whitefield, residents welcomed BBMP's special demolition initiative, hoping that illegal structures would be cleared within the 117-day timeframe promised by the BBMP Chief Commissioner. However, they expressed disappointment that the enforcement effort lost momentum within two months. BBMP marshals, initially deployed to curb illegal construction, were withdrawn around mid-December, resulting in a resurgence of unauthorized building activities.

Residents also disclosed that they had filed RTIs seeking updates on the ongoing special drive, both with the ADTP Mahadevapura and EE Mahadevapura. According to the RTI response from the Additional Director of Town Planning (ADTP), at the outset of BBMP's anti-illegal buildings drive in White Rose Layout, there were 72 buildings. Out of these, only 34 had obtained plan approvals from BBMP. The remaining 38 buildings did not have any sanctioned plans. Furthermore, among the 34 buildings with plan approvals, 28 were found to have deviations from the approved plans.

As per the response, Town Planning officials have taken some measures regarding buildings with sanctioned plans but deviations. However, there is no information on actions taken against buildings that were constructed without any plan approval.

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