The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : The game of oneupmanship

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

The game of oneupmanship

Sharath S. Srivatsa

By the time courts settle the issue, illegal buildings would have come up and rented out

DRIVE AGAINST VIOLATION: A file picture of BBMP officials sealing a premises for change of land use in Sadashivanagar are of Bangalore. — Photo: K. Murali Kumar

BANGALORE: Citizens have begun to question the change in land use. Some of them are using the Right to Information Act to expose the nexus between officials and violators, with some of them approaching the courts.

It was because of a public interest litigation (PIL) petition filed by the Sadashivanagar Residents' Welfare Association that the Karnataka High Court directed the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike to look into the large-scale zonal violations in the area.

After conducting a survey, the BBMP found that 90 illegal commercial establishments were functioning in the residential area. The BBMP issued notices to the violators and had begun sealing their premises when the court stayed it.

Y.V. Ashwathnarayana, former member of the Executive Committee, Banashankari 2nd Stage Welfare Association, told The Hindu it too had filed a PIL against zoning violations and building bylaws violations on nine important roads in Banashankari 2nd stage. The PIL sought a detailed survey of violators following which action could be initiated.

In addition, the association has filed over 150 applications under RTI Act seeking information on violations pertaining to land use, planning and building bylaws in buildings located in Banashankari 2nd Stage. The residents hope they will be able to contain the change in land use.

In the game of oneupmanship, however, it is a long haul for residents of localities. The BBMP issues a show-cause notice to the builders violating norms. But residents say the builders secure a stay order and continue with the construction. By the time courts have a final say, the building is completed and rented out.

K.P. Abraham, secretary of Residents' Welfare Association of Bangalore East, feels that often the voice of protest is throttled and many are scared to protest in the face of threats and vendetta. Consequently, commoners bear the brunt of it all.

K.S. Mani, member of ITI Layout Residents' Association on New BEL Road, told The Hindu : "Elderly people and children cannot venture out on their own on New BEL Road because of spurt in commercial activities." Due to changes in the land use pattern, many commercial establishments have come up, and footpaths are encroached forcing pedestrians to walk on the road, he added.

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