Bengaluru is witnessing an urban nightmare unfold as illegal buildings continue to rise unabated, posing a direct threat to its residents. The recent collapse of an illegal apartment building in Babusapalya, claiming eight lives, has again exposed the utter disregard for human life among both builders and government officials who are responsible for overseeing construction. As the rubble is cleared and lives are mourned, one question lingers: why does Bengaluru’s administration fail, again and again, to curb unauthorized constructions?
A circular issued by Bengaluru’s Chief Commissioner in July 2023 laid out a supposedly strict 117-day timeline for the demolition of illegal buildings, with a clear stipulation that ward officers—including Junior Engineers (JE), Assistant Engineers (AE), Assistant Executive Engineers (AEE), and Chief Engineers (CE)—must monitor and halt any unlawful construction in their jurisdiction. Yet, instead of actively preventing these hazardous developments, these officials often hide behind the routine issuance of notices. Their actions suggest a perfunctory box-ticking exercise, rather than a genuine commitment to protecting public safety.
The Vicious Cycle of Corruption and Inaction
The July circular could not be clearer: it mandates that officials use the force of law to immediately stop illegal constructions, seal sites, and even file FIRs if required. Despite this, enforcement remains woefully inadequate. Officials resort to sending out notices, which are often ignored, while illegal structures rise rapidly under their noses. Worse, this lack of follow-through is not simply a result of negligence—corruption runs deep within the system. In many cases, officials accept bribes to look the other way or to use these notices as a means of extortion, enabling builders to continue unchecked.
Adding to the chaos, local politicians often play a role in thwarting enforcement actions. Many of these politicians themselves have interests in real estate, either directly or through close associates. Their influence protects violators from the scant enforcement efforts that do exist, allowing the unchecked growth of these unauthorized structures across Bengaluru. A July circular stipulated disciplinary action for officials who fail to prevent illegal construction, but such accountability is rarely enforced. These structures, often lacking safety measures, fire escapes, or adequate space, represent ticking time bombs in the city.
The Risk to Lives in Overcrowded PG Slums
The repercussions of this rampant lawlessness extend beyond collapsed buildings. The rapid and unregulated construction of paying guest (PG) accommodations in Bengaluru’s IT hubs represents another looming threat. In places like Prashant Layout, overcrowded, unapproved buildings are crammed together with minimal spacing, compromising fire safety and ventilation. With narrow lanes and a high density of illegal PG accommodations, a fire in one building could quickly become a death trap for hundreds of residents, most of whom are young IT professionals drawn to Bengaluru for work. Despite repeated pleas from residents, authorities continue to ignore these hotspots of danger.
Regulatory Loopholes And Neglect
Karnataka’s regulations compound the issue, particularly the loophole allowing buildings under 21 meters to bypass essential safety approvals. Developers exploit this gap by building structures just under this height limit, evading critical fire safety regulations and further endangering residents. The city’s limited enforcement capacity, combined with these loopholes, creates an environment where illegal and dangerous constructions can flourish unchecked. In areas like Mahadevpura, where even basic safety inspections are neglected, the risk of catastrophe is immense.
A Governance Crisis
According to citizen activist Sandeep Anirudhan, one of the key reasons for this mess is the failure to implement the 74th Constitutional Amendment, which mandates decentralization and empowers local governance. Bengaluru’s administration remains heavily centralized, leaving local bodies without the authority or resources necessary to manage the city’s rapid growth. The absence of a Metropolitan Planning Committee, as recommended by the Constitution, has left the city without a coherent, sustainable urban plan. Each successive government has promised transformation, but instead, they continue to use the city’s development as a political tool, prioritizing short-term gains over long-term stability.