Despite a directive from the BBMP Commissioner to demolish illegal buildings within 117 days, unauthorised structures in Bengaluru's Whitefield area persist. In October 2023, the BBMP identified 38 illegal buildings, but residents report no demolitions nearly seven months into the drive. Citizens, who were initially hopeful, have become frustrated as enforcement efforts weakened, with BBMP marshals withdrawn in December. RTI responses revealed that out of 72 buildings, only 34 had plan approvals, with 28 having deviations. The lack of action has led to continued construction of new illegal buildings, highlighting the city's administrative failures and possible collusion with violators.
Despite efforts to curb illegal construction in Bengaluru, unauthorised buildings continue to develop. According to an order issued by the Commissioner in July 2022, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) was expected to demolish these structures within 117 days. In October 2023, the Joint Director of Town Planning (JDTP) and BBMP identified 38 illegal buildings in Whitefield. This identification occurred during a campaign against unauthorised construction activities in the area.
Although the BBMP was supposed to act and demolish these illegal structures within the stipulated 117-day timeframe, citizens report that almost seven months have passed since the drive began in the White Rose layout, with no buildings demolished. Residents had high hopes when the BBMP initiated the special demolition drive, believing their long-standing civic and infrastructure issues caused by these illegal structures would finally be addressed. They anticipated the BBMP Chief Commissioner would adhere to the promised 117-day timeline, resulting in the demolition of unauthorised buildings.
However, residents were disappointed when the enforcement drive weakened after just two months. Sandeep Anirudhan of Namma Whitefield stated that BBMP marshals, initially deployed to prevent illegal construction, were withdrawn around mid-December, leading to the rapid resumption of illegal construction activities. Citizens, seeking updates on the special drive, filed Right to Information (RTI) requests with the Assistant Director of Town Planning (ADTP) Mahadevapura and the Executive Engineer (EE) Mahadevapura.
The ADTP's RTI response revealed that at the start of the anti-illegal buildings drive in White Rose Layout, there were 72 buildings. Of these, only 34 had plan approvals from the BBMP, while the remaining 38 did not. Furthermore, 28 of the 34 approved buildings had deviations from their sanctioned plans. The ADTP indicated that Town Planning officials had made some progress with buildings having sanctioned plans but with deviations. However, there was no information on actions taken against buildings constructed without plan approvals.
A resident raised concerns over the silence from the BBMP's Engineering Department, noting the lack of response to the RTI application from the Executive Engineer and Assistant Executive Engineer. The resident questioned whether the officials had fulfilled their responsibilities and why they were avoiding questions, particularly regarding their failure to prevent construction work despite the Chief Commissioner's order. Citizens also allege that due to this inaction, approximately 5-10 new buildings are currently under construction.
Anirudhan criticised the city administration, calling it a glaring indictment of their apparent indifference or collusion. He highlighted that either there is no effective governance, allowing people to act freely, or officials are colluding with violators, perpetuating the issue. The BBMP's perceived inaction and collusion have led to a continued rise in unauthorised buildings, frustrating local residents.
The persistence of illegal constructions in Bengaluru reflects broader issues within the city administration. Despite initial efforts and the implementation of special drives, the lack of sustained enforcement and follow-through has allowed unauthorised buildings to flourish. Residents continue to face challenges due to these structures, and the BBMP's inability to effectively address the problem has undermined public confidence in the city's governance. The situation calls for renewed efforts and greater accountability from city officials to ensure that illegal constructions are curtailed, and the integrity of urban planning and development is maintained.
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