BENGALURU, September 29: The Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) has informed the Karnataka High Court that it will take enforcement action against paying guest (PG) accommodations that fail to rectify violations, including sealing premises and disconnecting electricity and water supplies.
The development follows inspections carried out across Bengaluru, with authorities identifying a large number of PG facilities operating without required statutory approvals. The GBA told the court that owners had not rectified violations pointed out in earlier notices.
In Bengaluru East alone, the GBA reported that 2,500 of around 5,000 PG accommodations inspected were operating without proper licences, sanctioned building plans or fire-safety clearances. The inspections covered areas including Whitefield, Mahadevapura, KR Puram, Indiranagar and CV Raman Nagar.
GBA’s counsel told the court that the authority’s legal cell was preparing notices for non-compliant establishments. The proposed enforcement process will involve coordination with agencies including BESCOM, BWSSB and Bengaluru police to implement utility disconnections where required.
The Karnataka High Court has directed that occupants should be given reasonable time to relocate if a PG is ordered to vacate. The court indicated that the period should generally be around 15 to 21 days, rather than only a few days, and said occupants would not need to be shifted if the concerned PG complies with the requirements.
The court has also stressed that PG regulation should focus on life safety, health, security and dignity of occupants, as well as the interests of neighbouring residents. Its guidelines cover building and land-use compliance, occupancy limits, fire safety, electrical safety, LPG and kitchen safety, sanitation, food safety, CCTV, security and emergency preparedness.
Authorities have been directed to follow a continuing, risk-based system of identification, inspection, compliance and enforcement, rather than treating licensing as a one-time process. The court has also suggested creating a unified digital database of PG accommodations across Bengaluru.
The GBA has also indicated that demolition could be considered where buildings or additions are found to violate zoning regulations or building bye-laws, subject to the applicable legal process.
The latest proceedings mark an intensified enforcement phase in Bengaluru’s PG sector. The authorities are expected to coordinate across civic, utility, police and fire-safety agencies as the inspection and compliance process continues.
