The recent issuance of guidelines for Paying Guest (PG) accommodations by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has met with criticism from residents and students in Whitefield. While acknowledging the initiative as a positive step, the community contends that the guidelines are insufficient and fail to address critical safety and regulatory concerns.
A primary point of contention is the absence of mandatory fire safety protocols within the new guidelines. Residents are advocating for a stringent requirement of Fire Safety No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for all buildings exceeding two or three floors. Highlighting the oversight, a concerned Whitefield resident remarked, “What about fire safety norms, which are very essential? BBMP has not mentioned that anywhere in their guidelines. A fire safety exit is very essential along with fire-fighting equipment.”
The discontent is further fuelled by a recent amendment from the Karnataka government, which raised the height threshold for buildings classified as high-rise to above six floors. Locals perceive this change as a concession to real estate interests, potentially compromising safety standards. One resident warned, “A fire in one of these PG slums will ensure that the entire layout goes up in flames, as there is no gap between these buildings, nor any ventilation or light.”
Illegal commercial activities infiltrating residential zones have exacerbated the situation. The community demands the immediate closure and sealing of all shops, establishments, and offices situated on streets narrower than 40 feet, as per actual measurements rather than proposed dimensions in the Revised Master Plan. They also call for stringent penalties against property owners flouting these norms. The proliferation of violations in layout formation, building construction, and PG operations has precipitated a notable decline in the quality of life within these neighbourhoods. Residents express concern that these areas are rapidly transforming into “PG slums,” rendering them unfit for habitation.
Parking woes compound the grievances. Another resident, , emphasised the necessity for PG establishments to provide adequate parking facilities for both two-wheelers and four-wheelers. He also advocated for a mandate requiring PG operators to report tenant identities to the nearest police station, ensuring enhanced security and accountability. In light of these multifaceted issues, the residents of Whitefield are fervently urging the BBMP to implement more rigorous regulations and ensure their effective enforcement. Without such measures, they fear the continued degradation of safety and livability standards in their community.
