Bengaluru city is now pushing hard to stop all illegal building work. This big new effort comes after a deadly fire recently killed many people inside a building that was not allowed. City officers are quickly going through areas to find and close down structures built without the right papers. This urgent action is happening across Bengaluru to make sure no more lives are lost and that all buildings are safe for people. Authorities say they will take very strict steps against anyone who breaks the rules, sending a clear message that safety comes first for everyone living here.
Recent Fire Incident Prompts Strong Action
A recent deadly fire in Bengaluru’s Nagarathpete area has caused city officials to take strong action against buildings that do not follow safety rules. The fire, which started on a Saturday afternoon in a plastic mat shop, quickly spread and took five lives. The victims were identified as Suresh, Madan, Sangeeta. their two children, Mitesh and Vihaan. All five died from breathing issues before their bodies were burned in the fire. The building, built in 1985, had no open space around it, which is against building rules. It was used for both homes and businesses. Investigators found that fire safety tools like fire extinguishers were not present. Also, corridors and passages were blocked with metal bars, making it hard for firefighters to get inside. Initial reports suggest the fire was caused by an electrical short circuit. The building was also overloaded with things that can easily catch fire, like plastic and rubber items. possibly chemicals. Following the fire, police arrested two building owners, Balakrishnayya Shetty and his nephew Sandeep Shetty. They were charged with serious offenses, including causing death by negligence.
Long-Standing Issue of Unsafe Buildings
The city has many buildings that do not follow construction rules, posing a serious risk to people’s lives. Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar stated that around 70% of buildings in Bengaluru are illegal. This includes new areas that the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) has set up. Many builders ignore rules, construct more floors than allowed. do not get proper permits. Previous reports and surveys have highlighted the large number of unauthorized buildings. For example, a survey started after a building collapse in Babusapalya that killed nine workers in October of last year found over 1,171 buildings under construction were illegal. But, by January of the current year, only parts of nine such buildings had been torn down. This shows that taking action has been slow. The problem includes:
- Buildings without proper plans or approvals.
- Extra floors added without permission.
- Lack of safety features like fire extinguishers and clear escape routes.
- Buildings being used for different purposes than what was approved, for example, a home being used as a commercial storage unit.
These issues make buildings dangerous, especially during emergencies like fires or building collapses.
What City Officials Are Doing Now
In response to the recent fire, Bengaluru city officials have announced a strong plan to deal with unauthorized buildings. Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar visited the fire site and spoke about the need for immediate action. The main steps being taken include:
- Notices and Inspections: Officials will send notices to owners of weak and unscientific buildings. These owners will be asked to make their buildings safe. If they do not, the government will take action.
- Surveys: A detailed survey will be done across the city to find illegal and weak structures. This is a big task and may take a long time. The city has already started using a special app to identify buildings that do not follow rules. This app helps officials check building plans against what is actually built, quickly showing any differences.
- Demolition Drives: While large-scale demolitions will not happen right away, the government has warned that buildings that are not made safe or still break rules will be torn down. The city has previously carried out demolition drives, for example, tearing down unauthorized upper floors of 13 buildings in Yelahanka in June of this year.
- Stopping Utility Connections: The government has already stopped about 4 lakh water and electricity connections to buildings that do not have Occupancy Certificates (OCs), which prove a building is safe to live in. This is based on a court order. Buildings without an OC cannot legally get water or electricity from government bodies.
- Tougher Rules for Officials: Officials who fail to act against illegal constructions will face strict consequences, including fines, suspensions, or being removed from their jobs.
The city police commissioner, Seemant Kumar Singh, stated that owners who do not follow safety rules and build extra floors without permission will be arrested.
Perspectives from crucial People
Many vital people in the city have spoken about the issue.
“It is the fault of the building owner. I am going to issue a notice to everyone. They have to strengthen the building. All buildings here are illegal buildings. If they don’t strengthen the buildings, we will have to break all of them.” — Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar.
He also mentioned that it is scary to look inside some of these buildings. if a fire starts in such crowded places, it can lead to many deaths. The Deputy Chief Minister has announced that the government will give ₹5 lakh as compensation to each family of those who died in the Nagarathpete fire incident. The Urban Development Minister B. S. Suresh has given a strong warning that unauthorized settlements and illegal buildings will be torn down quickly. He also said that officials who do not take action against such constructions will face strict punishment. The Bengaluru City Police Commissioner, Seemant Kumar Singh, confirmed that the owners of the two buildings involved in the recent fire have been arrested for not following safety rules and building extra floors without permission. He said the initial reports point to a short circuit as the cause of the fire.
Community and Expert Views
The public and experts have different views on the situation. Some residents have been calling for stronger action against illegal buildings for a long time. For instance, in one area, over 1,171 illegal buildings were found. only a small number were demolished, making some residents feel that the actions taken are not enough. There have been cases where demolitions were not fully completed. construction resumed, leading to public anger. Experts in city planning and home buying forums worry about the safety of such buildings. They point out that many buildings in Bengaluru do not follow the approved plans. They emphasize that the city must make sure that new rules or exemptions do not lead to more unsafe constructions. For example, a new rule that might exempt small plots from needing an Occupancy Certificate has caused concern that it could lead to more unregulated construction. The state government has also approved a plan to collect a 1% fire cess (a special tax) on new high-rise buildings to improve fire safety. But, some experts believe this cost will likely be passed on to people buying homes.
Challenges and What Comes Next
Tackling the large number of unauthorized buildings in Bengaluru is a big challenge. Officials face problems like:
- Legal challenges from property owners.
- Owners not cooperating or responding to notices.
- A shortage of staff and money in the city body (BBMP) to carry out demolitions.
- Political pressure that can make it hard to take action against some powerful individuals.
Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar has admitted that dealing with this issue will take years, not just a few days, similar to problems faced in other big cities like Delhi and Mumbai. The government’s plan is to continue the drive to demolish unauthorized and poor-quality buildings. They are also giving more power to city agencies like the BBMP to stop new unauthorized construction. The aim is to make sure that such deadly incidents do not happen again and that buildings in the city are safe for everyone. 
