Plea In Karnataka High Court Against "Unplanned Growth Of Bengaluru" Due To Govt's Failure To Constitute Committees Prescribed Under BBMP Act

The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday issued notice on a public interest litigation seeking directions to the State government to constitute Heritage Conservation Committee, Metropolitan Planning Committee and Grievance Redressal Authority as prescribed under the BBMP Act 2020, for proper administration of Bengaluru city.

A division bench of Chief Justice Prasanna B Varale and Justice M G S Kamal issued notice returnable within four weeks on the petition filed by Advocate Umpathi S.

The plea states that the objectives of the Heritage Conservation Committee is protection, conservation and maintenance of Urban Heritage within the BBMP area. It says “There are many functions of the Heritage committee as provided under section 303 of the BBMP Act which includes identification and listing of heritage buildings, undertaking such actions as may be necessary for the physical conservation and restoration of urban heritage buildings and sites, framing special regulations for Heritage Buildings and Heritage Precincts in the city etc.”

Further it is said the BBMP Act provides for the orderly growth of Bangalore with power to take action against erring officials responsible for illegal and unauthorized constructions. However, it is said constitution of the Metropolitan Planning Committee under section 367 of the BBMP Act has been neglected by the Government which is mandated to prepare a draft development plan for the entire Bangalore Metropolitan Area.

“The need for such a vital Planning Committee for the entire Bangalore City can't be delayed any longer considering the fact that Bangalore city is already crumbling due to unplanned and haphazard growth,” the plea says.

It adds that a Grievance Redressal Authority under Section 368 of BBMP Act needs to be established at the earliest to look into the complaints and grievances against the BBMP and its Officials.

It is said “The citizens of Bangalore have multiple issues arising out of commissions or omissions of actions by the BBMP officials and the present Grievance Redressal Authority, being quasi judicial and headed by the retired District Judge rank would help to control maladministration of BBMP. The constitution of the said authority will also reduce the number of litigations before the police, BMTF, Lokayukta and also before the Hon'ble High Court which are flooded with many cases pertaining to BBMP.”

Case Title: Umapathi S And State of Karnataka & ANR

Case No: WP NO. 11185/2023