The tragic collapse of an illegal building in Hennur, claiming nine lives, has brought Bengaluru’s rampant building violations and corruption to light. According to Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), there are over 4.46 lakh illegal buildings across the city, with the majority concentrated in the newly added Greater Bengaluru areas like Mahadevapura and Bommanahalli. These areas, added after the 2006 expansion, have become hubs of unchecked construction and poor infrastructure due to alleged alliances between corrupt officials, building owners, and local politicians.
An estimated 65% of Bengaluru’s 16 lakh residential and 6.5 lakh commercial buildings are in violation of regulations, including encroachments on stormwater drains and exceeding permitted floors. Setback exemptions on small plots have further exacerbated risks for neighboring buildings.
The encroachment of critical stormwater drains, with only 402 km of the original 847 km remaining, has worsened flooding, while the city’s lakes have dwindled from 854 to just 127. Civic neglect extends beyond illegal construction, with blocked drainage systems, potholed roads, and recurring traffic snarls. Citizens lament the lack of political will to address these issues, as successive governments delay BBMP elections, leaving the city under bureaucratic rule without elected representatives since 2020.
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