Over 44 per cent of land classified as ‘Residential (Main)’, 7.11 per cent as ‘Residential (Mixed)’, 0.77 per cent as ‘Commercial (Business)’, and nothing as ‘Commercial (Central)’. This is what the land-use maps put by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) look like for Indiranagar.
But residents of those areas classified as mainly residential have quite a different story to tell. Complaints of a large number of vehicles being parked in front of their homes, of their neighbouring home housing strangers coming in to have a drink or a meal, of the noise levels right outside their homes becoming unbearable, are commonplace.
“As many as 98 per cent of the businesses operating here have no trade licences and there is no conversion of land use. There is no road in these residential areas wider than above 40 ft. Though illegal, the BBMP is turning a blind eye to it,” said Praveen S., a resident of Indiranagar 2nd Stage, referring to the rule that allows no commercial activity on roads measuring 40 ft or less.
With voices of similar woes coming from many areas, old and new, members of 14 residents’ welfare associations (RWAs) got together on Saturday to unite against commercialisation of residential areas.
“We are not against commercialisation. But there are dedicated spaces for it. When we come back home from a long day at work, we want peace. Not this,” said Mr. Praveen, referring to the endless line of upmarket restaurants, pubs and stores that have sprung up in almost every nook and corner of Indiranagar.
“We are contemplating legal action next. Individually, everyone has put in effort. But nobody has seen any success. We will take it up with the enforcement agencies. We want these units shut down and the erring officials prosecuted,” said Sneha Nandihal, a resident of Indiranagar 1st Stage.
The sub-committee against commercialisation of residential areas, being formed under Bengaluru Residents’ Associations’ Confederation Ensemble (BRACE) of the Namma Bengaluru Foundation (NBF), will start with the 14 RWAs present at the Saturday’s meeting, said Sridhar Pabbisetty, CEO, NBF.
“The committee will essentially look at the High Court of Karnataka judgment, which is clear, but has not seen implementation,” he added, referring to the 2014 judgment that resulted in the Urban Development Department rolling back its amendment to the Revised Master Plan 2015, which allowed ancillary commercial usage (up to 20 per cent of built-up area) in roads wider than 12 m (around 39.4 feet).
While these include older areas such as Jayanagar, Indiranagar and Koramangala, even areas such as Banaswadi, from where complaints have remained relatively fewer, are also part of the committee.
