Bengaluru's PG Safety Crackdown: A Wake-Up Call for Unlicensed Accommodations

Bengaluru, the Silicon Valley of India, is home to countless young professionals and students, many of whom rely on paying guest (PG) accommodations. But it seems a significant number of these establishments might be putting their residents at risk. The BBMP's East Zone officials have certainly been busy, delivering a sharp, seven-day ultimatum to PGs found operating with glaring safety lapses and without proper documentation.

This isn't just a random drive; it's a critical response, spurred on by past tragedies. You might recall the heartbreaking incident in December 2022, when two young women lost their lives in a fire at a Marathahalli PG. Such events understandably heighten vigilance, and officials are now cracking down hard, aiming to prevent any further catastrophes.

During recent surprise inspections, conducted by the Assistant Revenue Officer (ARO) from the BBMP's East Zone, a total of ten PGs were thoroughly checked. The findings were, frankly, concerning. A whopping seven of these places were immediately slapped with notices, highlighting a serious lack of adherence to basic safety standards and legal requirements.

What exactly were the issues? Well, it appears many PGs are operating in a rather cavalier fashion. A primary concern is the absence of a basic trade license – the fundamental permission needed to run any commercial establishment. Beyond that, a significant number lacked a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Fire and Emergency Services department, which, let's be honest, is absolutely non-negotiable when people's lives are at stake. Forget fancy amenities; we're talking about the absolute bare minimum: fire extinguishers, those crucial smoke detectors, and clear, unobstructed emergency exits. Many just didn't have them.

Then there are the structural issues. Reports indicate problems like faulty electrical wiring – a ticking time bomb, really – and even illegal constructions, such as unauthorized additional floors that compromise the building's stability and safety. It's a recipe for disaster, and officials are, quite rightly, putting their foot down.

The message from the BBMP is clear and uncompromising: PG owners must obtain their trade licenses and secure the necessary fire safety NOCs within this strict seven-day window. To ensure compliance, the BBMP is coordinating closely with both the Fire Department and BESCOM, the local electricity supply company. And if these PGs fail to comply? The consequences are severe. We're talking about premises being sealed and, perhaps even more impactful, their power supply being disconnected. This isn't a threat; it's a promise to prioritize public safety.

This latest push isn't entirely new territory for the BBMP. They've been trying to bring some order to the PG sector for a while now, even previously mandating police verification for both tenants and staff, and insisting on proper registers. But this current crackdown feels different; it's more immediate, more targeted, and clearly driven by the urgent need to protect the vulnerable residents who call these PGs home.