A large number of commercial establishments springing up in residential buildings are turning out to be a matter of grave concern. GHMC has failed to check the violation of land use and building rules. Commercial establishments, particularly eateries that use LPG cylinders for cooking purposes, have been set up in the ground floor flats of innumerable buildings in the city, while families live in the upper floors of the building. These set-ups operate blatantly, flouting fire safety rules.
Though as per the rules, the use of land cannot be changed from residential to commercial without permission from the government, there are approximately one lakh residential buildings in the city in which some kind of shops or commercial establishment has been set up. As per the HMC Act, the municipal authorities have to seize the a residential building used for commercial purposes, if the owner does not revert back to residential use after notice is served. But the GHMC seems to be encouraging commercial activity in residential areas by collecting three to four times more property tax from such buildings, leaving the residents to suffer.
Accidents in kitchens are also on the rise. There were 110 kitchen fire mishaps in 2011 compared to 104 in 2010. Ms Radha Rajgopal, a resident of Dharam Karan Road says, “The Fire Prevention Wing should ensure that all residential buildings with even a small commercial activity should be equipped with fire safety equipment.” GHMC officials said they have initiated attempts to tackle the problem.