Rising maintenance costs in Bengaluru apartments due to water and security expenses
Bengaluru: The maintenance charges in Bengaluru's apartment complexes have seen a significant increase, primarily driven by the rising costs of water and security. Many residents are now facing higher monthly expenses, with water charges being a major contributor due to the reduced supply from the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) and the increasing reliance on expensive tanker water.
At Trifecta Starlight in Garudacharpalya, the monthly water expenses per flat have surged from Rs 415 to Rs 1,500 since April. Pradeep Chenthati, the treasurer of the complex, noted that their maintenance costs are expected to rise from Rs 1 crore in 2023-24 to Rs 1.22 crore this financial year.
Similarly, Nikoo Homes-1 in Bhartiya City, a large complex with over 2,400 flats, has seen a 21% increase in water charges in 2023-24, on top of a 14% rise the previous year. Maintenance costs in this complex have also risen by over 10%, with rates per square foot increasing for the first time in several years.
Security expenses are another factor driving up maintenance costs. Complexes are facing challenges due to the increasing number of e-commerce delivery personnel entering the premises. To manage this, some complexes have deployed additional security and installed tracking devices to monitor visitors. At SMD Altezz in Kadugodi, security costs have risen as the complex has taken measures to restrict the movement of delivery personnel after 10:30 pm.
The Bengaluru Apartments’ Federation (BAF) has reported that Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) are struggling to keep maintenance charges below Rs 7,500 per month, with the 18% GST applied to charges exceeding this amount adding to the financial burden on residents.
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Karnataka govt directs municipal corps to regulate, prohibit pigeon feeding
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government has issued directions to municipal corporations across the state to regulate and prohibit feeding pigeons in public places, citing serious public health concerns.
Deputy Secretary to Government V Lakshmikanth has written to the Urban Development Department requesting it to issue directions to the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and all municipal corporations to take immediate steps to implement the measures.
In an official note dated December 16 issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department and released to the media on Wednesday, the department said uncontrolled feeding of pigeons in public places has resulted in large congregations of birds, excessive droppings and serious health concerns, particularly respiratory illnesses linked to prolonged exposure to pigeon droppings and feathers such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis and other lung diseases.
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"The commissioner, the Greater Bengaluru Authority and the Commissioners and chief officers of other municipal corporations shall take necessary action to mitigate the causes of dangerous disease spread by pigeon and enforce specified guidelines in their respective jurisdiction," the note said.
According to the department, these include a prohibition on feeding pigeons or causing pigeons to be fed in areas where it may cause nuisance or pose a health hazard to the public. Pigeon feeding shall be permitted only in designated areas in a controlled manner, subject to certain conditions.
"The designated areas may be selected in consultation with stakeholders. The responsibility for upkeep of the designated areas and compliance to the directions shall be taken up by some charitable organisation or an NGO. The feeding in designated areas shall be permitted only for some limited hours in the day," it said.
The note further stated that authorised officers of local authorities shall issue on-the-spot warnings and may impose fines for violation of the order, or lodge complaints to prosecute offenders under Sections 271 (Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and 272 (Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
It also directed local authorities to conduct public awareness campaigns, including the display of signboards, banners and digital messages, explaining the health hazards associated with pigeon droppings and feathers, the content of the regulatory directions and penalties for violations, and alternative humane methods of bird conservation that do not endanger public health.
