To:
Chief Commissioner, Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA)
Town Planning & Building Licence Authorities, GBA/BBMP
Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB)
Sandeep Vihar AWHO Management Committee

NOISE POLLUTION KILLS YOU FROM WITHIN, DO NOT LET IT HAPPEN.

We, the residents of Sandeep Vihar AWHO, Bengaluru, are seeking urgent action to address a recurring problem in our Society: major apartment renovation and demolition works being carried out in occupied residential blocks, involving wall removal, heavy drilling, hammering and grinding, with inadequate protection for the safety and wellbeing of other residents.

This is not an isolated incident.

I recently raised concerns regarding severe renovation-related noise through the Society's MyGate platform and requested the Society Secretary to intervene. When the problem continued, I was compelled to approach the Police. The Police intervened and the work stopped temporarily, but resumed thereafter.

During my interaction with the Police, I was also informed that similar renovation work in another block of Sandeep Vihar had continued for approximately three months, with residents being subjected to construction noise on a daily basis.

This demonstrates that this is a recurring and systemic problem requiring a proper regulatory solution rather than temporary intervention in individual cases.

What needs to change

Major renovation involving removal of walls or alteration of the internal configuration of apartments should not commence without prior written permission, verification against the sanctioned plan and, wherever applicable, appropriate structural approval.

The Karnataka Apartment Ownership Act treats columns, beams, supports and main walls as common areas and facilities of the building. Such elements cannot simply be treated as the private property of an individual apartment owner.

The Society has also prohibited the transportation of hollow blocks into the premises, recognising the potential for unauthorised construction or alteration. Such rules must be properly enforced and applied uniformly.

At the same time, residents should not be subjected to weeks or months of drilling, hammering, grinding and other high-intensity construction noise merely because renovation is taking place during permitted hours.

We therefore demand:

Prior written Govt approval for all major renovation involving demolition or removal of walls.

Verification that proposed alterations conform to the sanctioned/approved building plan by the competent Town Planning/Building Licence authority.

Mandatory structural assessment by a registered structural engineer wherever structural or common elements could be affected.

Strict enforcement of the Society's existing renovation rules, including the hollow-block restriction.
Intervention by KSPCB where construction activity results in excessive noise pollution or violation of applicable noise standards.

Clear and enforceable controls on prolonged drilling, hammering, grinding and other high-noise activities in occupied residential buildings.

A proper inspection mechanism so that unauthorised work is identified before, rather than after, substantial demolition has taken place.

Uniform enforcement of these requirements across every block and every apartment, without exceptions.
This is fundamentally a safety issue.

Sandeep Vihar is a fully occupied residential community. Unauthorised removal of walls or interference with structural/common elements can potentially compromise the safety of the apartment, neighbouring apartments and the building as a whole.

Such work must never be allowed without proper verification, written approvals and appropriate structural safeguards.

Likewise, residents should not have to endure months of severe construction noise simply because there is no effective mechanism to control major renovation activity.

We are not asking for a ban on renovation.

We are asking for something much more reasonable:

Renovate if you wish — but do it with proper approvals, structural safeguards, effective noise controls and respect for the safety and quality of life of everyone who lives in this community.

We call upon the Chief Commissioner, Greater Bengaluru Authority; the GBA/BBMP Town Planning and Building Licence authorities; the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board; and the Sandeep Vihar AWHO Management Committee to establish and enforce a clear, transparent and uniformly applicable renovation policy that protects both the right to renovate and the right of other residents to live safely and peacefully.