'BBMP fails to deliver on demolitions': Whitefield residents demand action

Bengaluru: Whitefield residents have raised concerns over Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike’s (BBMP) lack of action against illegal constructions in the area, highlighting the gap between the promises and implementation by the civic body.

In October 2023, the Joint Director of Town Planning (JDTP) at the BBMP identified 68 illegal buildings in White Rose Layout, Whitefield. The special demolition drive, ordered by the BBMP Chief Commissioner, was expected to be completed within 117 days, as per a directive issued in July 2023. Nearly a year later, no significant progress has been made, fuelling citizens’ frustration. The lack of enforcement has encouraged violators, leading to around 20 new illegal constructions in the layout alone.

“This is dereliction. It’s a breakdown of governance,” commented Sandeep Anirudhan of Namma Whitefield. “The entire government machinery seems to be falling apart. It’s almost like there is no state,” he said. Criticising the chief commissioner’s directive, he added that what was supposed to be a turning point ‘fizzled out’ almost immediately.

Sandeep stated that in a public meeting held on November 15, last year, BBMP Chief Commissioner Tushar Girinath announced that around 900 orders for the demolition of illegal buildings had been signed, and actions would begin in the Mahadevapura Zone the next day. On November 21, the demolition of one building was in action, however, only a few pillars and cement blocks were brought down.

He mentioned that residential layouts like Prashant Layout, White Rose Layout, Upkar Layout, D’Silva Layout, and Borewell Road are suffering from excessive strain on amenities due to the ‘unchecked proliferation’ of illegal buildings. Residents face daily hardships, including power outages, water shortages, burst underground drains, open sewages, and overcrowded roads, which make it dangerous for children to play outside. Such illegal commercialisation has degraded the quality of life of the residents.

On December 28, 2024, BBMP officials posted warning banners and barrier tapes around eight buildings, but he noted that illegal constructions continued despite the measures. Gururaj, the Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE), Whitefield subdivision, mentioned that the plan to demolish additional buildings is still being carried out.

Anirudhan accused BBMP ward engineers of turning a blind eye to the ongoing violations. “Instead of preventing new illegal buildings as mandated by the BBMP’s circular, they should have been demolishing 100 buildings weekly. This inaction feeds corruption and undermines the rule of law. Bangalore is turning into an IT slum city,” he said.

 

Written by: Olivia Debroy, School of Communication and Media Studies, St Joseph’s University, Bengaluru