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. The authorities zeroed in on these buildings during their drive against unauthorised construction activities in the area.
The civic agency was supposed to take action and demolish these illegal structures within 117 days as per an order copy issued by the commissioner in July last year.
However, citizens say it is now almost seven months since the special drive started in the White Rose layout, and yet not a single building has been demolished.
“When BBMP took up the special demolition drive, residents who were facing various civic and infrastructure-related issues due to these illegal structures were relieved. Residents hoped that as per the 117-day timeline promised by the BBMP Chief Commissioner, illegal and unauthorised buildings would be demolished. However, we were disappointed that the enforcement drive got weaker within two months. BBMP marshals who were deployed to prevent illegal construction were withdrawn around mid-December and all illegal constructions resumed at a fast pace,” said Sandeep Anirudhan of Namma Whitefield.Citizens filed RTIs for updates on the ongoing special drive, both with the ADTP Mahadevapura and EE Mahadevapura. According to an RTI response by the Additional Director of Town Planning (ADTP), when BBMP started the anti-illegal buildings drive in White Rose Layout, there were 72 buildings. Only 34 buildings had obtained plan approvals from BBMP. The remaining 38 buildings did not even have plans sanctioned. Moreover, as many as 28 out of the 34 buildings with plan approvals had deviations.
As per the response, the Town Planning officials have been following through to some extent on the buildings with sanctioned plans but deviations; there is no news on steps taken in case of buildings that are constructed without plan approval.
“The Executive Engineer and Assistant Executive Engineer of BBMP have not yet responded to the RTI application. So, a huge mystery hangs on what the Engineering Department has been doing. Have they carried out their part of the task or not? Why are they evading questions? Why have they not prevented construction work from taking place as per the Chief Commissioner’s order?” questioned a resident.
Citizens allege that as no action was taken, a fresh batch of about 5-10 new buildings are being constructed now.
“This is a glaring indictment of the city administration, which seems to be in sleep mode or collusion mode. Either there is no Government and people are doing whatever they please, or the officials are hand in glove with the violators and allowing this mess to perpetrate,” said Anirudhan.
The GIDC has also begun the process to issue the allotment letters for the 16 industrial plots that were auctioned in March.
