Date:21/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/21/stories/2008112155510500.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Court clarifies order on change of land use

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: Residents of Koramangala, whose houses were under the scanner of civic authorities for violating zonal regulations, heaved a sigh of relief when the High Court on Thursday clarified its earlier interim order relating to change of land use.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice P.D. Dinakaran, and Justice V.G. Sabhahit clarified its stand on an interim order of September 2, 2005 in which it had made references to change of land use in residential areas. The order now gives residents of Koramangala and other localities in the city an opportunity to make an application to the BDA/BBMP for change in land use and these two authorities in turn would have to take a decision on it as per existing law.

This PIL petition came up for hearing after several years when K.N. Subba Reddy filed an interlocutory application saying that his house was situated in Koramangala 3rd Block and that as the area was a beehive of commercial activity, he should be permitted change of land use from residential to commercial.

The Bench perused the September 2, 2005 interim order and decided to clarify only that portion relating to change in land use. It clarified that it is open to BDA and BBMP to compound violations if any of buildings in terms of building by-laws and also permit change in land use as per the law.