Buffer zone ruling will hit 35K flats: BBMP

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike officials have submitted an affidavit before the Supreme Court on Tuesday, giving the details about the number of buildings to be affected if the NGT’s order on buffer zone is followed retrospectively.

The BBMP claimed that 35,054 flats would be affected as they come under the increased buffer zone limits. Though the BBMP has given the sanction plan and commencement certificates, it has not issued the occupancy certificates. According to the affidavit, over 31,500 buildings come under the buffer zone of stormwater drains or rajakaluves. Approximately, there are 19.40 lakh buildings in the BBMP area.

Speaking to DH, BBMP Commissioner N Manjunath Prasad said the hearing is continuing on Wednesday also, and the decision will help them know the status of these buildings, whether they will be retained or demolished.

As per the ongoing case in the Supreme Court, whether the NGT can change the buffer zone of lakes and stormwater drains or not, close to 66,554 buildings in the city are in question. During 2016, NGT ruled saying that to protect the environment, the buffer zone of lakes have to be increased from the existing 30 meters to 75 meters from the lakes. It even shut down a few industries in the city, which was falling under the increased buffer zone.