Sealing drive begins even in Bangalore

Taking a cue from New Delhi, the civic authorities in Bangalore have begun targeting Information Technology (IT) companies and firms operating out of houses and villas in Bangalore in blatant violation of land use norms.

Officials of Bangalore City Corporation and Bangalore Metropolitan Task Force descended on posh Sadashivanagar area with an army of 50 personnel and sealed a total of eleven properties over the last forty-eight hours including software firms.

Civic officials warn that the sealing drive, which began at Sadashivanagar area, known for large colonial bungalows, is just the beginning. “The owners and builders have obtained building plan sanctions for residences, constructed it like a residence too, but are using it for commercial purposes”, said Bangalore City Corporation’s Joint Commissioner Jayaram.

The civic authorities decision to seal illegal offices came after a public interest litigation was filed in the Karnataka High Court by Sadashivnagar Residents’ Welfare Association against the violation of land use norms in parts of the area, which was turning out to be menace to the residents. “Only offices operating out of houses have been sealed”, Jayaram said.

Apart from software firms, the civic authorities have also sealed a travel office, a clinic, and a chartered accountant’s office.