BENGALURU: The BDA was buzzing with tension on Thursday following a notification by the government on behalf of the BDA for allowing mixed development in residential layout including activities like pubs, commercial and office space across the city.
Following a petition by Citizens’ Action Forum (CAF) questioning the allowing of commercial activities other than ancillary activities as per the Master Plan 2015, the BDA submitted an affidavit. The amendment benefited builders and had an impact on the original image of Bengaluru.
The CAF members claimed that ‘mixed development’ has given rise to commercial activities in residential areas in Indiranagar, Koramangala and other areas and has snatched away the peace of the area. This has also created traffic and parking issues, they stated.
They petitioned to remove the ‘mixed development’ concept except for ancillary activities like petty shops, clinics newspaper shops among other things.
The BDA’s amendment and allowing the mixed development was in total contradiction with its own affidavit filed before the Karnataka high court.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah took serious note of this and was fuming at the BDA for not abiding by the affidavit filed before the high court.
The BDA had admitted that no commercial activity of any nature whatsoever shall be allowed in residential main areas and in the three rings Ring 1 (core Bengaluru), Ring 2 (areas between core ring road and outer ring road) and Ring 3 (areas beyond outer ring road within BDA jurisdiction) if road width is less than 40 feet.
In sync with the affidavit filed in the court, amendment was made to the mixed land use zoning and was sent to the government for approval, said sources in BDA.
However, the government being supreme is at liberty to make changes to the BDA’s proposal. However, the changes were made by the urban development department, added sources.
