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

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About Akshatha M

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