BENGALURU: Residents of HRBR Layout are pushing back against the proposed opening of a homestay-cum-café in their residential neighbourhood, raising concerns over noise, pollution, parking and the impact of increased commercial activity on the area.Residents of 5th A Main Road, including young and elderly residents, took to the streets with banners and slogans to oppose Blossomly House, a proposed commercial homestay-cum-cafeteria.They argued that homestay-cum-café and similar commercial facilities should not be introduced in what they described as a peaceful residential layout.The residents have also raised concerns over an alleged encroachment of a rajakaluve beside the property and the proposed installation of a commercial exhaust system.They fear the exhaust could result in considerable noise, smoke, odour and air pollution for people living in the surrounding area.Why residents are opposing the homestayResidents said the proposed homestay-cum-café could bring a steady flow of visitors into the neighbourhood, increasing noise and disturbance in an area primarily meant for residential use.“If 20–30 or more people gather and smoke at the premises, it could create significant health and nuisance concerns for neighbouring residents. Along with that, with a large number of customers entering and leaving, talking, gathering and moving around, there is a possibility of increased noise disturbance in what is otherwise a residential area,” said resident KR Prabhakar.Parking is another concern for residents, particularly those who have lived in the neighbourhood for several years. They said neighbouring roads were already experiencing commercial activity and parking pressure, and feared that the proposed establishment could further reduce parking spaces available to locals.Gomathy Venkatesan, an elderly resident, alleged that the café management did not take her objections into consideration when she initially raised them.“I have been staying here for 35 years, but when we told the owner our disagreements, he asked us to bear all the issues and stay or vacate, adding that the road will soon become a commercial hub,” she told TOI.A former leader of opposition of the erstwhile Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), who joined the protest, said the area was purely residential and that no commercial development would be allowed under any circumstances.Residents seek clarity on permissionsThe residents have also questioned whether the proposed establishment has all the permissions required to operate in the area. They have written to Bengaluru North City Corporation (BNCC), seeking verification of permissions related to zoning, land-use compliance and rajakaluve clearance.Their concerns come as the proposed property combines a homestay with a café, bringing together accommodation and a customer-facing commercial activity within the residential layout.I wanted to do this for the Gen-Z: Property owner Sachin Jain, who owns the upcoming property, said the café was intended to “give back something to the society”. He rejected the suggestion that the project was “very commercial” and said the aim was not to cause inconvenience to residents.“I wanted to do this for the Gen-Z; this is nothing like a traditional cafe and this place will strictly be a no-smoking zone. I am also planning to incorporate a library within the place along with a homestay so that youngsters can read and take in the ambience,” Sachin said.While residents have raised concerns about the nature and impact of Airbnb-style stays and commercial activity in their neighbourhood, the property owner has maintained that the proposed facility is intended to offer a different kind of space and would not be aimed at causing inconvenience to those living nearby.
