BBMP gets cracking against commercial outlets, plastic

Along with the massive flex removal drive, the BBMP is on its toes, shutting down illegal commercial establishments that flout zonal regulations in the city.

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike officials are also raiding shops that are selling plastic illegally and removing all those banners and hoardings that do not have 60% Kannada, based on the orders given by Mayor R Sampath Raj.

According to a senior official, about 10 commercial establishments were shut on 9th main of Jogupalya ward (No. 80), in HAL second stage on Tuesday by BBMP officers in East zone. The drive will continue as the officials have given notices to 500 such shops in the locality.

Residents welcome move

Residents of the area see this as a welcome step. “This is a long-pending move by the BBMP as the high court had ordered long ago to shut down all the illegal commercial establishments in residential areas in the city,” said Dr Srinivas Ravindra, president of the Social Amenities Association, HAL.

The BBMP official said that about 45 shops were shut in South zone as well.

Use of plastic

The officials are also raiding shops selling plastic illegally and they have levied a penalty of up to Rs 1.73 lakh across West, East, South, Bommanahalli and Mahadevapura zones of the city. A total of 799 kg of plastic has been seized from these zones.

In East zone alone, about 120 shops were inspected for plastic usage and 150 kg of plastic was seized by levying a fine of Rs 42,000. The shops in Orion Mall were also given notices to display Kannada boards.