Residents opposed to Masterplan 2031

Want status quo maintained on buffer zones

By ZAHID H JAVALI
The issue of buffer zones and commercial establishments in residential areas has triggered residents to file for objections against Bangalore Development Authority’s (BDA) proposed Masterplan 2031. HSR associations and residents have asked for the status quo to be maintained as per Comprehensive Development Plan 2015 (CDP 2015). The issue of buffer zones around main storm water drains (rajakaluve) and secondary drains has made several residents question the move. “How can you apply the Supreme Court judgement in a retrospective manner?” asks one resident. The politicians are rubbishing it by saying, “No government will risk it and allow such things to happen, so residents need not worry.” But the residents are not convinced. They want it in the form of a proper revised masterplan that excludes such provisions.

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is known for doing things contrary to what it should. Says resident Mohan Jayaram: “BBMP started the drainage work at 27th cross in Sector 3 without giving any details. If they follow CDP 2015, we don’t have any objections. But nobody knows what they are going to do. We need one drain connecting 5th and 9th main through 27th cross and the others should utilise 19th main/19th main service road to continue on to service road. Drains in this low-lying areas are going to be futile and we have conveyed our objections. On one side, the BDA is asking for our objections and suggestions and on the other side, BBMP is doing its own work.”

Sector 3 residents did quite an amazing thing. The RWA members gave away blank CDP 2031
forms for filing objections in four sets with a specimen copy to assist them in filling up the form. The members also paid Rs 2000 to the RWA towards a future court battle on the burning issue. The Sector 3 RWA has forwarded 108 objections from residents in its jurisdiction against the masterplan, which includes the buildings coming under the buffer zone of main drains and secondary drains. RWAs of Sector 1, 6 and 7 have done even better. Says Sector 1 RWA president Jayaram Reddy: “We have suggested to the BDA that there should be no change in the masterplan and it should be as per the CDP 2015.”

Says former secretary general of Federation of HSR RWAs, HM Javali: “Even if we approach the court, it will first ask us if we have filed any objections against the 2031 masterplan. The residents put up in buffer zone are really in danger at all times to come.”