The five city corporations of Bengaluru have proposed to increase the permissible deviation limit in building constructions from the existing 5% to 15%, by amendingbuilding bylaws. The corporations have also proposed to impose a penalty for the regularisation of the deviation within permissible limits as a percentage of guidance value of the plot, indicating it is also a revenue-mopping exercise. The Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) has termed it a “people-friendly decision”. 

“Due to the high land prices in Bengaluru and various unavoidable reasons, it has been observed that many plot owners have constructed buildings with certain deviations from the sanctioned plan, often leaving reduced setbacks and facing difficulties. Under the current rules, only up to 5% deviation can be regularised. As a result, many such buildings are unable to obtain Occupancy Certificates from City Corporations, making it difficult to get water supply and electricity connections,” M. Maheshwar Rao, Commissioner, GBA, said.