Bengaluru: Bengaluru East City Corporation has launched a special enforcement drive against unauthorised Paying Guest (PG) and hostel facilities operating within its jurisdiction. The civic body has warned that all establishments running without valid trade licences will face closure if they fail to comply within seven days.

According to Additional Commissioner Shri Lokhande Snehal Sudhakar, several PG accommodations in the area have been found violating statutory norms by operating without mandatory licences. The key violations include running facilities in residential zones without permission, inadequate safety and hygiene measures, non-compliance with fire safety regulations, and failure to install CCTV cameras.

“The Corporation has identified that several such establishments pose risks to public safety and health. Hence, a special enforcement campaign has been launched to identify and regulate illegal operations,” the official stated.

All operators have been instructed to apply for trade licences immediately to avoid penalties or sealing of their premises. Under the Greater Bengaluru Authority Act, 2024, and the Bengaluru Governance Act, 2024, legal action will be initiated against those who continue to operate without authorisation.

The Bengaluru East City Corporation’s enforcement initiative aims to curb unauthorised PGs and hostels that have proliferated in residential areas, often without adequate safety or sanitation facilities. Many such establishments reportedly violate zoning laws and lack basic compliance with fire and security norms.

Officials said that the decision comes after multiple complaints from residents and local representatives about safety hazards and public nuisance. The civic body’s enforcement teams will carry out inspections over the next week to ensure compliance.

Operators who fail to secure the necessary trade licence within the stipulated time frame will face penalties, disconnection of utilities, and sealing of their buildings. The Corporation has urged all stakeholders to ensure their facilities meet the required safety and hygiene standards before applying for a licence.

This move is part of Bengaluru’s wider civic reforms to regulate commercial establishments in residential areas and ensure better urban governance.