Bengaluru Civic Body Enforces Strict New Protocols to Curb Building Plan Violations

The Bengaluru Central City Corporation has introduced a comprehensive set of enforcement measures aimed at curbing unauthorised constructions and recurring building plan violations across the city. The new guidelines, issued by Commissioner Rajendra Cholan, mark a significant shift toward stricter monitoring, enhanced transparency and faster action against illegal structures.

Under the revised framework, no construction activity can commence without obtaining a mandatory plinth-line marking based on the approved building plan. Town planning officials are now required to mark the foundation boundaries within 30 days of plan approval and issue a foundation certificate. Only after this certification can building work legally proceed. This move is expected to reduce discrepancies between approved drawings and actual on-ground construction.

To ensure greater transparency, the civic body has directed that all approved building plans be accessible to ward engineers and displayed on digital consoles. This allows field-level staff to verify progress in real time and identify deviations at an early stage. Senior planning officials have been made accountable for enforcing this process consistently across all zones.

The corporation has also laid down a detailed protocol for handling public complaints. Any complaint related to construction violations must be forwarded to assistant directors, town planners and ward engineers. Officials will conduct an initial external inspection, file a report and issue notices to owners, architects or builders. Notices may be delivered in person, via email, by registered post or affixed at the site with photographic proof.

If a violation is confirmed, authorities must issue a temporary order under Section 243(3), giving the property owner 15 days to explain why demolition should not be carried out. If the explanation is inadequate or if the illegal sections are not voluntarily removed, a confirmation order will be issued. Owners will then have 15 days to demolish the unauthorised construction, failing which the corporation will take up demolition work under Section 349(2) and recover the costs.

Town planning officers and ward engineers have been empowered to enter construction sites and halt illegal work immediately. Executive engineers have been instructed to prepare demolition estimates, empanel contractors and coordinate removal of unauthorised portions. The corporation has clarified that appeals will not delay enforcement unless accompanied by a specific stay order, signalling a strong intent to tighten compliance across Bengaluru.