[Urbanstudy] 14 RWAs join hands to fight against commercialisation of residential areas

[Vinay Baindur]

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/14-rwas-join-hands-to-fight-against-commercialisation-of-residential-areas/article8803697.ece?homepage=true


*14 RWAs join hands to fight against commercialisation of residential areas*

   - STAFF REPORTER



<http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/14-rwas-join-hands-to-fight-against-commercialisation-of-residential-areas/article8803697.ece?homepage=true#>
[image: Commercial establishments continue to mushroom in many residential
areas, including Koramangala. —PHOTO: BHAGYA PRAKASH K.]
The Hindu
Commercial establishments continue to mushroom in many residential areas,
including Koramangala. —PHOTO: BHAGYA PRAKASH K.
They include those from Koramangala, Indiranagar, Jayanagar, and Banaswadi.

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.
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