BENGALURU: To help enable planned development in the city, concerned citizens have formed a group — Bengaluru Coalition — to address the issue of rampant building bylaw violations and prioritise the fight against illegal constructions.
This initiative is in collaboration with several civil society organisations, including resident welfare associations, non-governmental organisations, Bangalore Apartments Federation (BAF), and active citizens.
The recently launched group aims to address the widespread non-compliance with building bylaws and regulations that has contributed to the city’s infrastructural challenges and the recent collapse of an under-construction illegal building in Babusapalya, which claimed nine lives.
Sources said the initiative comes amid ongoing proceedings in a suo motu writ petition in Karnataka high court, which has been issuing interim orders since July 2022 regarding curbing rampant building violations and asking BBMP for an effective action plan. Despite the HC orders and various circulars issued by the civic body, there has been little or no tangible enforcement on the ground.
Over 50 RWAs from various layouts and associations across Bengaluru have committed to the coalition and are signing an MoU for forming the group, along with BAF, which represents about 1,400 apartment complexes.
R Rajagopalan, convener of Bengaluru Coalition, said, “Our plan of action is structured into three foundational tiers. The first step is creating awareness and sharing knowledge about the laws and complaint processes. The second involves sustained campaigns in local clusters across the city to document and report violations. These campaigns aim to bring widespread attention to the lack of enforcement, as the suo motu actions expected from the authorities have been ineffective. The third step focuses on addressing gaps in BBMP’s processes and pushing for reforms under relevant laws, such as the Karnataka Town and Country Planning Act.” Beyond legal measures, the coalition plans to engage with higher authorities, including the governor and the Prime Minister’s Office, to push for reforms and accountability.
