BBMP to regulate 'paying guests' in the city

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: In a bid to address concerns related to safety, security and regulatory compliance, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has taken a decisive step to regulate paying guest (PG) accommodations in the city.

Residents and citizen activists have been raising issues concerning the rapid proliferation of PGs, highlighting the lack of government action against unlicensed establishments.

With the rising number of PGs in Bengaluru, the civic agency aims to address issues of overcrowding, hygiene, and safety that have been a cause for various concerns among citizens.

Residents in areas like Mahadevapura and Koramangala have expressed concerns over safety, strain on infrastructure, and increased crime rates due to unregulated PGs.

Issues such as inadequate sewage systems, random people frequenting premises and disturbances to the sanctity of residential areas have been highlighted.

While existing regulations require PGs to register with local police stations before providing services, compliance remains a challenge.

Responding to the residents' complaints, the BBMP Chief Commissioner Tushar Giri Nath said, "We are working on a framework to regulate them. The proposed rules will focus on limiting the maximum number of guests per room, specifying the required number of washrooms/toilets provided by operators, and addressing safety and health concerns," he said.