Once again, govt to allow commercial activities only in roads 40 ft or wider

by February 24, 2015 Governance
The government’s zonal regulations amendment does not match BDA’s affidavit. So HC directs the BBMP not to issue certificates to the six projects sanctioned of late.

The state government has told the High Court that they will amend the Bengaluru Development Authority’s Revised Master Plan-2015 Zonal Regulations to conform to the BDA’s affidavit submitted recently to the court.

The government’s counsel agreed before the Division Bench comprising of Chief Justice D H Waghela and Justice Ram Mohan Reddy to make necessary changes within 10 days. Namma Bengaluru Foundation (NBF) had filed a writ petition in the High Court questioning the changes made by the state government in the Zonal Regulations which were not in line with BDA’s affidavit.

BDA had said: Not me

In the earlier hearing on February 18th, the BDA had submitted that it had not suggested changes to the zonal regulations that were published by the government. Then the court sought to know whether BBMP had sanctioned any plans in last two months, after the amended zonal regulation came into effect on December 11th, 2014.

On Monday, the BBMP lawyer responded saying that the BBMP had sanctioned six plans in last two months. While criticising the BBMP for being ‘diligent’ in sanctioning plans, the chief justice directed the authority to not issue any documents including Occupancy Certificate, to the six sanctioned plans.

Justice Ram Mohan Reddy took a dig at the government for not consulting the Bangalore Metropolitan Planning Committee (MPC) before taking decisions on policy changes for Bengaluru. The court urged the government to keep the relevant authorities including the BBMP and BDA informed too.

Though the court had sought the presence of BBMP Commissioner, he failed to appear before the court on Monday. The court then adjourned the hearing to March 2nd.

Related Articles

HC asks State govt to defend diluted planning rules or withdraw
Bengaluru Master plan: Will RMP 2035 meet the fate of RMP 2015?
BBMP admits to zoning violation in Panduranganagar, blames Master Plan
BDA begins revision of Bengaluru’s master plan
Master Plan not legal: PIL in High Court
Citizens move court over BDA’s change of stance in the amended master plan
CAF sends inputs on Bengaluru master plan
City Master plan: BDA must get the vision right

Sections:

About Akshatha M

Akshatha M was a Staff Journalist at Citizen Matters. She tweets at @akshata1.
Read more by Akshatha M

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Similar Story

Pre-poll report card: Citizens raise concerns over urban planning and governance gaps

by March 30, 2026 Governance
As the Assembly elections near, residents across Chennai flag zoning violations, poor urban planning amid rapid growth.

As cities grow rapidly, traffic, buildings, and loss of green cover inevitably follow. In 1974, the Chennai Metropolitan Area (CMA) covered 1,189 sq. km; by 2022, it had expanded to 5,904 sq. km, bringing with it challenges of governance. Gaps in governance are foremost on the minds of the 28.3 lakh Chennai voters set to elect their Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) on April 23rd. The ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government made 505 promises in 2021, of which it claims to have met 80%. But as residents and citizen groups come up with their manifestos ahead of the April…

Continue reading

Similar Story

In Bengaluru’s Kogilu Layout, evictions create another housing crisis for the city

by , and March 19, 2026 Governance
Months after the Kogilu demolitions, displaced residents still live in tents, citing lack of prior notice and delays in promised rehabilitation.

On December 20, 2025, families in Kogilu Layout, Yelahanka, awoke to the sound of bulldozers and their homes being razed. Vessels, bedding, school bags, medicines, and documents lay scattered around or broken. While official figures state that 167 structures were removed, residents and petitioners report higher numbers.  Beside the rubble, families assembled tarpaulin shelters. Residents say that for several days, makeshift solutions for water, toilets, and electricity were arranged and civil society groups provided temporary relief.  Residents and civil-society groups also allege that there was no written notice before the pre-dawn demolitions. In the aftermath, it is unclear where people slept…

Continue reading