BENGALURU: The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has given seven days time to property owners who have allowed commercial activities in residential areas, to shut them or face action.
In a public notice issued by BBMP Commissioner Manjunath Prasad on Wednesday, the civic body noted that commercial activities were being run in many residential buildings in violation of the revised 2015 master plan and zoning regulations.
In residential areas, operating commercial establishments obstructs the free flow of traffic, creates nuisance and problems for residents, the notice says. The Palike will take steps to ensure such unauthorised and illegal operations are discontinued.
According to the notice, if the sanctioned plan is for a residential building, then running of shops in the parking lot, basement, ground floor or even in the mezzanine floor is in violation of the Urban Development Department notification, Karnataka Municipal Corporation Act, the revised master plan and High Court order.
The Commissioner has warned violators to voluntarily shut down the illegal establishments at their own cost. In case of failure to do so, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike will take steps to shut them down as per provisions of the KMC Act, 1976, and other laws and rules, he said.
The civic body’s move has been welcomed by residents. Mukunda Rao of Jayanagar 5th Block Resident Welfare Association said the neighbourhood was once a residential area which has now turned into a commercial one. Old large buildings now house commercial shops, he said, adding the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike should monitor this, but they are the ones who are giving the trade licences.
“It’s a good move by the Commissioner. The ball is in the BBMP’s court and it is a challenge for them to implement it,’’ he said.
A senior traffic police officer said the basement of shops should be utilised for parking. “But in these buildings, the basements are also used for commercial activities. Therefore, the two- and four-wheelers are parked on the roadside, narrowing the width of the road further. This causes traffic congestion. Most of the commercial buildings are owned by political leaders,’’ he said.