In response to numerous grievances lodged by resident welfare organizations and citizen groups, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has taken decisive action to regulate paying guest accommodations. This initiative addresses concerns voiced by the community, highlighting the transformation of residential neighbourhoods into burgeoning commercial zones due to the increasing prevalence of PG accommodations. The move by the civic body aims to strike a balance between residential and commercial interests, safeguarding the character of local communities amidst a surge in the number of paying guests in the city.
In a response to the escalating numbers of paying guest (PG) accommodations in Bengaluru, which have recently surpassed the 20,000 mark and continue to rise, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has decided to establish a regulatory framework for these establishments. The move by the BBMP comes in the wake of numerous complaints from resident welfare organizations and citizen groups, expressing concerns about the transformation of residential neighbourhoods into commercial zones due to the surge in PG accommodations. A BBMP official highlighted, "It is a segment that has not been touched by any government agency. Many buildings get converted into PGs to cash in on the demand for housing, mostly triggered by outstation students and young working professionals. Some PGs, which operate from ramshackle buildings or are overcrowded, collect hefty rents from occupants." Tushar Giri Nath, the chief commissioner of BBMP, acknowledged the absence of guidelines governing PGs and stated that the authority is working on a framework to regulate them. The new rules, among other things, would look at restricting the maximum number of guests per room, the number of washrooms/toilets that need to be provided by the operators, safety and health matters. He also emphasized the need to address complaints of overcrowded facilities. The lack of regulation has led to complaints against specific PGs, including issues such as foul smells and unhygienic conditions. In response, the BBMP's regulatory measures are expected to impact all PG facilities in the city. According to the PG Owners' Association of Bengaluru, the city currently houses over 20,000 PG facilities catering to more than 17 lakh working professionals and students. Some PG owners have expressed confusion about the sudden attention from the BBMP, stating that most of them have taken trade licenses and therefore do not understand the need for separate rules or guidelines. They argued that PGs provide economical housing solutions for working professionals and students, especially in the face of soaring rents in Bengaluru. However, BBMP officials countered this, pointing out that despite collecting substantial rents, PGs were not contributing to the exchequer. They highlighted that many PGs, particularly those on the city outskirts, operate from buildings without proper documentation and do not declare themselves as commercial establishments, leading to lower tariff payments for water and power consumption. As the BBMP works on formulating a regulatory framework, the debate between the authorities and PG owners continues, with differing perspectives on the necessity and impact of such regulations on the burgeoning PG industry in Bengaluru.
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