BBMP mandates legal undertaking to curb unauthorised constructions in Bengaluru

BBMP mandates legal undertaking for OC and CC before property transfer to curb unauthorised buildings in Bengaluru.

In a significant move to combat the unchecked growth of unauthorised buildings, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has made it compulsory for builders and property owners to submit a legal undertaking stating that housing units will be transferred to buyers only after obtaining the occupancy certificate (OC) and completion certificate (CC).

A senior BBMP official told The Hindu that building plan approvals would now be contingent on this commitment. The initiative aims to plug a critical loophole where developers, after securing plan sanctions and commencement certificates, bypass the final OC stage — frequently due to structural violations such as excess floors or deviations from the sanctioned blueprint.

The civic body has raised concerns over the financial and safety implications of this trend. Many buildings have been constructed in violation of rules, causing significant revenue loss to the BBMP and putting residents at risk. Following a spate of building collapses, a city-wide survey was launched, which identified thousands of unauthorised constructions. However, enforcement actions such as demolition have lagged, eroding effectiveness of regulation.

To address this, the BBMP has directed zonal town planning officers and assistant directors to conduct bimonthly inspections and upload reports. Any violations must be reported to the subdivision’s assistant executive engineers for further legal action, the official said.

Assistant engineers in each ward are now responsible for detecting and acting against illegal constructions. In accordance with the Supreme Court guidelines, periodic inspections are mandatory, with specific months — January, March, May, September, and November — earmarked for site assessments. The central office’s Deputy Director of Town Planning will oversee these operations and report findings to higher authorities.

In cases where unauthorised construction is detected post-OC issuance, assistant revenue officials and engineers are required to inform the subdivision officers. Action will be taken under legal provisions. Additionally, zonal commissioners must notify Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (Bescom) and the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) to sever electricity and water connections to illegal structures once official notices are issued.