The government is out to allow businesses to come up even on roads just 30 feet wide. Earlier, no commercial activities were permitted in areas classified as 'residential main,' irrespective of road width. In 'residential mixed,' businesses were not allowed if the roads were narrower than 40 feet. The draft has set off fears that businesses will come up in residential neighbourhoods across Bengaluru, and in cities and towns across the state. File photo for representation
New zonal regulations proposed by the town and country planning department allow shops and businesses on narrower streets. The proposed rules do away with 'residential main' and 'residential mix,' two classifications under the current 'residential' category. They moot just one 'residential' category.
The government is out to allow businesses to come up even on roads just 30 feet wide. Earlier, no commercial activities were permitted in areas classified as ‘residential main,’ irrespective of road width. In ‘residential mixed,' businesses were not allowed if the roads were narrower than 40 feet. The draft has set off fears that businesses will come up in residential neighbourhoods across Bengaluru, and in cities and towns across the state.
The draft rules violate the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) and urban development department's (UDD) affidavit to the High Court, undertaking not to allow commercial activities on streets narrower than 40 feet.
Milk booth, fruit stalls
L Shashikumar, director of town and country planning, said only 'essential services' such as milk booths, tea stalls, vegetable and fruit stalls, bakeries, pharmacies, and small eateries would be allowed on roads 30 feet wide. Power looms of up to 2HP capacity are also allowed. If the draft is accepted, household industries and MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises) can also come up on plots facing 30 feet roads.
On roads 40 ft wide, retail shops, hardware shops, mutton and poultry shops, computer training institutes, grocery shops, Hopcoms centres and flour mills will be permitted, besides MSME and household industries.
RWAs up in arms
The draft rules have upset resident welfare associations, already complaining against rampant commercialisation of residential areas. Nithin Seshadri of Koramangala termed the rules regressive and ruinous for Bengaluru.
“Peaceful areas will turn into hell. The government is bringing in these rules stealthily without any publicity,” he told DH.
Vijayan Menon, one of the petitioners who has approached the High Court against businesses in residential areas, said, “It is not just about altering the zonal regulations but also about circumventing the court order. It is contrary to the affidavit filed by the BDA and the UDD.”
He said the draft rules bypass mandatory procedure as well. “Was the matter put up before the Metropolitan Planning Committee? No. Why was the committee bypassed? This rule will run into legal challenges,” he said.
Shashikumar defended the proposed amendments, saying the department was open to discussion. “It is only a draft. People still have time to file their objections, which will be considered. We have the option of bringing in a separate draft for Bengaluru,” he said.