The eight shops covering a total area of 166.37 square meters on the ground floor of Oberle Towers at Balmatta were said to have violated the building norms, and even neglected the notices served by the civic body.

MCC Commissioner K N Vijay Prakash, who was personally supervising the demolition process, told media persons that the shops had grossly violated the rules by occupying the parking space left for the building. The City Corporation had received so many complaints from the members of the public in this regard, he said.

He said the building belonged to one Mohammed A Kunhi. “Though they looked like eight shops,  there were additional compartments inside. Notices have been served to the people concerned thrice but they ignored them,” he informed.

“The MCC has identified 19 structures in the city limits which have violated the norms. Some have applied for ‘akrama-sakrama’ and some cases are in the court. In the meantime, the civic body in association with fire officials have made a scientific study of the construction scenario in Mangalore. The MCC is going to take action against the violaters in a phased manner,” the Commissioner added.

Deputy Commissioner V Ponnuraj who visited the site said the administration is all set to stop any more violations in the future and at the same time rectifying the previous violations.

“Parking has been a big problem in the city since builders have not provided proper parking space in the buildings,” he noted.

Vijay Prakash said the construction of Oberle Towers began in 1994 and it got a completion certificate in 2007. “In fact, five more shops in the same floor have violated the norms but they have already obtained license from the Corporation. Steps will be taken again them too in the days to come,” he informed. The demolition drive began early in the morning with police protection. A large number of onlookers had gathered at the site. Ramadas Pai, a public, said “the administration’s decision to demolish the illegal structures is indeed good. The drive should continue.”