Bengaluru: The proposed demolition of an 18-storey apartment tower in southeast Bengaluru after its developer detected structural instability has triggered widespread debate over the credibility of occupancy certificates (OCs) issued by the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA).The 49-unit tower, at SNN Raj Etternia near Kudlu, received an OC earlier this year but is now set to be dismantled after fresh geotechnical investigations revealed serious soil-related issues. While the developer has maintained that the remaining 14 towers in the 972-unit township are structurally sound, many citizens said the episode raises broader questions about the building approval and certification process.
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Urban planning expert Ashwin Mahesh said the case has exposed a disconnect between regulatory approvals and actual structural safety. “The developer thinks the building poses a risk, but GBA issued OC. This is an opportunity to properly examine the OC process and ensure the authority’s technical competence to issue such certificates. The whole thing has to be closed with proper risk insurance as well,” he posted on X.Netizen Prasanna Viswanathan echoed the concern, saying the issue should not be viewed as an isolated construction defect but as a larger question about what an OC actually certifies. Referring to the developer’s explanation that the original geotechnical investigation had failed to detect critical subsurface conditions, he questioned whether a GBA-issued OC should be treated as certifying a building’s structural or geotechnical integrity.The incident has also revived concerns over construction on lakebeds and marshy terrain. Mahesh BR, who tracks the state govt’s infrastructure projects, urged homebuyers to exercise caution while purchasing apartments built on or near lakes and marshes. He said Bellandur, Varthur, Gunjur, and Sarjapur were particularly vulnerable because they largely comprise reclaimed lakebeds and wetlands. Tagging Bengaluru development minister Krishna Byre Gowda, he urged govt to mandate fresh geotechnical evaluations for apartment buildings near lakes constructed after 2015.Several social media users also questioned the effectiveness of regulatory oversight. A user named Pradyumna argued that if a reputed developer could face such an issue, concerns would be even greater for projects built by smaller companies. He alleged that GBA had failed in its oversight role and questioned why civic officials and govt should not be held accountable.Another user, Kumar K, criticised the explanation blaming the geotechnical consultant. “So neither GBA nor the builder is responsible. But a poor unknown soil-testing company is blamed,” he wrote, reflecting wider demands for greater accountability from both regulators and developers.
