Bengaluru civic body identifies 2,562 unauthorised constructions

18 Nov 2024 CW Team

West and City Zones reported an equal number of 328 illegal constructions each, while Bommanahalli Zone accounted for 275, and Yelahanka Zone listed 167. Notably, South Zone, despite having a significant number of wards, recorded the lowest figure with only 142 illegal buildings.

In total, BBMP identified 2,562 unauthorized constructions citywide, underscoring the prevalence of the issue and varying levels of enforcement across zones. Sources revealed that officials at the zonal and ward levels faced considerable challenges during the survey. Following the collapse of an illegal building in Babusapalya last month, which tragically claimed the lives of nine workers, officials were directed to identify all unauthorized buildings within a week. However, as of now, only 2,500 such buildings have been recorded.

The BBMP initiated the survey on October 28, but two weeks into the process, progress has been slow, with only 2,562 illegal structures identified across the city’s eight zones. Reports indicate that local political pressures and previous leniencies by officials in permitting unauthorized constructions have complicated matters. Although daily reporting from each zone was mandated, only one or two zones have consistently submitted updates over the past few days. Data from other zones often lack clarity, leaving the central office uncertain about the survey's actual progress.

During their visits to the Babusapalya collapse site, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar had emphasized the need for stringent action against officials, including zonal commissioners and engineers, if illegal constructions persisted. They urged officials to resist external pressures and insisted on a comprehensive report within a week.

The Mahadevapura zone, home to Whitefield’s tech corridor and several prominent localities, has been identified as having the highest number of unauthorized buildings in Bengaluru, according to a recent survey conducted by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). The survey revealed that Mahadevapura leads with 528 unauthorized structures, followed by East Zone with 446 and Dasarahalli Zone with 348. West and City Zones reported an equal number of 328 illegal constructions each, while Bommanahalli Zone accounted for 275, and Yelahanka Zone listed 167. Notably, South Zone, despite having a significant number of wards, recorded the lowest figure with only 142 illegal buildings. In total, BBMP identified 2,562 unauthorized constructions citywide, underscoring the prevalence of the issue and varying levels of enforcement across zones. Sources revealed that officials at the zonal and ward levels faced considerable challenges during the survey. Following the collapse of an illegal building in Babusapalya last month, which tragically claimed the lives of nine workers, officials were directed to identify all unauthorized buildings within a week. However, as of now, only 2,500 such buildings have been recorded. The BBMP initiated the survey on October 28, but two weeks into the process, progress has been slow, with only 2,562 illegal structures identified across the city’s eight zones. Reports indicate that local political pressures and previous leniencies by officials in permitting unauthorized constructions have complicated matters. Although daily reporting from each zone was mandated, only one or two zones have consistently submitted updates over the past few days. Data from other zones often lack clarity, leaving the central office uncertain about the survey's actual progress. During their visits to the Babusapalya collapse site, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar had emphasized the need for stringent action against officials, including zonal commissioners and engineers, if illegal constructions persisted. They urged officials to resist external pressures and insisted on a comprehensive report within a week.

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