Neighbourhood peace, a thing of the past

Many recent government projects have faced the public ire because citizens were not consulted. While the Chalukya Circle to Hebbal steel flyover project sparked widespread protests, the Sivananda Circle project too faced similar objections.

This time, as many as 10,000 residents have filed objections to save the city's residential neighbourhoods from crass commercialisation.

The state government’s move to adopt the Common Zoning Regulations (CZR), which allows commercial establishments to be opened on roads that are 29.5 feet or wider, has met with stiff opposition. DH spoke to residents about the various implications of this measure.

One common complaint of the residents has been that the government does not consult them before implementing any regulation.

Matters such as these should definitely involve the citizens’ views as they are going to be affected at the end of the day.

Sridhar Pabbisetty, founder, Namma Bengaluru Foundation, says that the government is misusing the provision by allowing commercial setups to enter residential areas.

“No one but the resident can understand the way in which the street works or the impact of commercial establishments in the neighbourhoods.”

“The government should keep the big picture in mind and think scientifically before implementing the order. It is also important to take the opinions of the residents,” he says.

Somayaji K V R, a resident of JP Nagar, emphasises that most of the streets in the residential areas are not designed to hold the solid/liquid waste generated by commercial entities such as shops, eateries or offices.

“If a small mess or a restaurant comes up on a street, there will not be enough space for the sewage to drain out,” explains Somayaji.

The government is planning to implement the zoning regulations across the state.

Some residents remind that each city has its own characteristic and the state cannot implement the new rules without consulting the local municipal bodies.

“The government is planning to implement zoning in all the cities of the state. Each city is unique in its own way. You cannot implement the same rules in Virajpet as you do it in Bengaluru. Vijayapura and Kalaburagi are two different cities,” reasons  Nitin Seshadri, a resident of Koramangala 3rd Block.

Seshadri met Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday during the latter's city rounds and apprised him of the people's objections.

Next week, Seshadri has proposed another meeting with the principal secretary in this regard.

Other residents point out that increased commercial activity will create more parking problems on streets in the residential areas.

K V Bhat of Dollars Colony says that the opening of commercial shops and establishments will bring in more vehicles.

Aruna Newton, a resident of HAL 2nd Stage Indiranagar, notes that women and children will no longer be safe.

“Women and children will no longer be safe in their homes as a lot of people, total strangers, start coming to their neighbourhoods in search of shops. It is in the hands of the government to ensure the safety of residential areas,” she says.

“Zoning,” she explains, “is not a well thought-out process. The nature of the residential areas will be destroyed. There is enough of nuisance already created by the liquor outlets in the layouts or colonies.”

Drunkards create a ruckus and urinate on walls, Newton says. “There are already more than 90 bars and pubs in the layout. It is still fine if they set up milk shops, clinics or other shops. But not liquor outlets or bars and pubs. There has to be a balance,” she says.