The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has announced a significant increase in fees for regularizing building deviations in Bengaluru. Under the new rules, property owners will have to pay up to 25% more to get their unauthorized constructions approved. This move aims to discourage illegal constructions and generate additional revenue for the civic body.
New Fee Structure
The revised fee structure applies to both residential and commercial properties. For residential properties, the regularization fee has been increased from Rs. 500 per square meter to Rs. 625 per square meter. For commercial properties, the fee has gone up from Rs. 1,000 per square meter to Rs. 1,250 per square meter. Additionally, a penalty of 10% will be levied on the total fee if the application is filed after the deadline.
Impact on Property Owners
Property owners who have built structures deviating from the approved plan will now have to bear a higher financial burden to regularize them. For instance, a 1,000-square-foot residential property with deviations will now cost approximately Rs. 62,500 to regularize, compared to Rs. 50,000 earlier. This increase is expected to push many owners to either pay up or face legal action.
The BBMP has also introduced a stricter timeline for regularization. Applications must be submitted within six months from the date of notification, failing which the property may be subject to demolition. The civic body hopes that the higher fees and tighter deadlines will deter future violations and encourage compliance with building bylaws.
Reaction from Stakeholders
Real estate experts and property owners have expressed mixed reactions. While some believe the move will help streamline construction activities and improve urban planning, others argue that it places an undue burden on middle-class homeowners. The Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) has supported the BBMP's decision, stating that it will lead to better regulation of the city's rapid urbanization.
The BBMP has assured that the additional revenue generated will be utilized for infrastructure development and improving civic amenities. However, critics point out that without effective enforcement, the fee hike alone may not solve the problem of rampant illegal constructions in the city.
