BENGALURU: The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has decided to issue notices to owners of vacant plots if their sites are not being maintained properly. Each zone within the BBMP area is required to compile a comprehensive list of such properties.
BBMP Chief Commissioner Tushar Giri Nath said, “Owners of these properties will receive notices if their sites are found lacking in cleanliness. Should these owners fail to rectify the maintenance issues after receiving the notices, fines will be imposed.
Furthermore, officials are to issue warnings to ensure that property owners address the cleanliness issues and prevent similar problems in the future.”
Earlier, BBMP had said that site owners will be held responsible for ensuring that their plots remain free of garbage. “Failure to do so will result in a penalty of Rs 2 per square feet. Repeated offences will lead to legal action against the owner, with the fine being added to their property tax”.
A BBMP official explained, “Maintaining cleanliness is not just a matter of aesthetics but a critical public health concern. Vacant properties that are neglected often become breeding grounds for pests and a source of various health hazards. These sites can attract illegal dumping and can impact the overall environment and quality of life in our neighbourhoods. By implementing this initiative, we are taking a proactive step to ensure that property owners take responsibility for maintaining their vacant properties.”
The official said they would identify vacant properties, issue notices to the owners, and enforce fines if necessary.
The proposal has garnered mixed reactions from the public. A section of the residents supports the move, hoping it will compel owners to take responsibility for clearing their premises, especially in the outskirts where vacant plots have become a nuisance for neighbours. On the other hand, some oppose the measure, arguing that owners should not be penalised for the actions of others.
Dengue cases remain stable
Despite ongoing reports of dengue cases in the city, the situation appears to be stable compared to previous weeks. BBMP Commissioner Tushar Giri Nath commented, “Last week, we were averaging around 200 dengue cases daily within the BBMP limits.
It is not just about aesthetics, but vacant properties that are neglected often become breeding grounds for pests and a source of health hazards–BBMP official
Currently, the daily count has reduced to approximately 165 to 170 cases. While this should not be viewed as a decline, it indicates a stabilisation of the situation. We need to monitor the trend over the coming weeks to determine if the number of cases will drop further or see an increase.” He said that testing for dengue has been intensified across most zones, with the exception of RR Nagar and South zone, where testing levels have been lower. Officials have been instructed to boost testing efforts in these areas.
Additionally, mosquito breeding sites are being targeted with 600 fogging machines and 618 sprayers to control the spread of the disease.
