The recent collapse of an under-construction building in Bengaluru’s Babusapalya, tragically claiming nine lives, has prompted the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to launch a citywide crackdown on unauthorized buildings. This initiative, commencing on October 28, aims to demolish structures deemed illegal and unsafe.
One of the first targets of this campaign is a five-storey building in Nanjappa Garden, Babusapalya, Hennur. This structure, ironically dubbed the ‘Burj Khalifa’ by amused and outraged netizens, stands on a miniscule plot of land measuring just 250 sq ft (10 feet wide and 25 feet long). The building’s sheer size, towering over the surrounding neighborhood, has sparked widespread criticism and ridicule, with many questioning how such a structure was permitted in the first place.
A photograph of the building, shared on social media by a journalist, has gone viral, igniting a wave of online reactions. While some users jokingly compared the building to the world’s tallest skyscraper, others expressed disbelief and outrage at the sheer audacity of the construction.
Many criticized the owner and the engineer responsible for the project, pointing fingers at their disregard for safety regulations and blatant disregard for building codes. One user commented, “Burj Khalifa ultra pro max. This building should be preserved instead of being demolished.” Another pointed out, “Forget BBMP for a minute, that match box building should’ve given nightmares to all neighbors and passersby, how even were they all silent?”
While the online community’s reaction has been a mixture of amusement and anger, the situation raises serious concerns about the state of construction practices and the lax enforcement of building regulations in Bengaluru.
News18 reports that the owner of the illegal building has agreed to its demolition. The BBMP has issued an order to disconnect the electricity supply to the structure during the demolition process and has also evacuated nearby residents.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for stricter enforcement of building regulations and the importance of prioritizing safety in urban development. The BBMP’s crackdown on unauthorized buildings is a step in the right direction, but the ultimate goal should be to prevent such incidents from happening in the first place.
