Koramangala residents miffed with petrol station plan

The BBMP official who sanctioned the plan has been transferred

Residents of Raheja Residency in Koramangala are miffed with a proposed project of petrol station by Shell India Markets Pvt Ltd coming up just 28 metres from their residential complex.

 The residents are roiled as the work related to digging the ground for the underground pump was carried from September till October 11, 2013  despite BBMP rejecting the plan in November 2012.  

The Palike had communicated to the residents in a letter dated November 27, 2012 that the Shell India plan was rejected.  Subsequently, a writ petition was filed by Shell India against BBMP in the High Court, which was dismissed as the petition was withdrawn on October 10, 2013. Later, with the help of various RTI queries, residents of Raheja got a copy of a blueprint of the project which was purportedly approved by BBMP (South) office on December, 29, 2012. The blue print has the signature of the assistant director of Town Planning (South), BBMP, Jayanagar. 

According to Residents’ Welfare Association member Nitin Sheshadri, when BBMP officials were approached with the sanctioned blueprint copy, the official said it could be a ‘fabricated document.’  

Not holding any office

“The problem is that none of the officials know who actually approved the sanctioned blueprint plan and the person who has signed has been transferred and not holding any office at present,” he added. Thomas Varghese, a resident, is amused as to how a reputed company can take up the work despite BBMP rejecting its plan for a petrol station.  

“First and foremost, it is the same residential area where the High Court had restricted commercial activities. Secondly, even if the petrol station is constructed, it will only add to the existing chaos on the road,” he added. 

The residents have stated in a letter that there are currently 4-5 petrol pumps within a radius of 500 -1,000 metres in Koramangala and there is no need for an additional petrol station located in a narrow, congested internal road in a fully residential area.

Shell India official spokesperson in a statement said, “Shell has a robust internal protocol wherein we ensure full compliance of local market regulation before we execute any new project. In this case, we have received all necessary approvals including BBMP approvals before commencing construction. We will resume construction in due course.” 

However, BBMP Town Planning (South) sources told Deccan Herald that plans proposed by Shell India was rejected and that they cannot carry out the work without proper approvals.