HC Orders GBA Chief Engineer to Report on Gandhi Bazar Encroachments

The Karnataka High Court has issued an oral order directing the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) Zone-2 Chief Engineer to file a compliance report regarding the delayed removal of encroachments in Gandhi Bazar, Bengaluru.

Justice BM Shyam Prasad ordered that the report must be submitted before the next court hearing scheduled for July 27.

The directive comes during the hearing of a writ petition filed by resident L Gundu Rao, who is represented by counsel GR Mohan. The petition addresses ongoing concerns over encroachments in the Gandhi Bazar area. The Commissioner of the Bengaluru Central City Corporation is the second respondent in the case, while the GBA Zone-2 Chief Engineer is the third respondent.

Justice Prasad observed that there had been a clear non-compliance with the High Court's previous order dated February 21. He noted that the counsel for the second and third respondents had only sought an adjournment during the proceedings.

According to the oral order, the GBA Zone-2 Chief Engineer must ensure the compliance report is filed on time. If there is continued non-compliance, the Chief Engineer is required to appear before the court either in person or online to explain the failure.

Although the Chief Engineer received a copy of the oral order a few days ago, he has not yet visited Gandhi Bazar to ensure the court's directions are being met. Local residents have expressed worry over this delay. Guruprasad RK, the Secretary of the Basavanagudi Heritage Residents’ Welfare Association, emphasized that authorities need to do more than just mark spaces. He stated that officials must ensure vendors actually occupy the designated vending areas allotted to them.

Meanwhile, pedestrians have welcomed recent actions by the Bengaluru Central City Corporation, which deployed staff to colour-code areas in Gandhi Bazar. This colour-coding demarcates spaces for vendors, pedestrians, and the frontages of commercial establishments.