Bengaluru, Sept. 18 -- The Karnataka High Court has issued a comprehensive set of directions for monitoring, regulating and inspecting paying guest (PG) accommodations in Bengaluru, stressing that safety norms must be strictly enforced to prevent large-scale loss of life in case of an accident.

The directions were issued by a division bench headed by Justice Suraj Govindaraj while hearing petitions filed by the owner of Mess Prince PG at Kattigenahalli near Yelahanka and others. The petitioners had challenged the Greater Bengaluru Authority's action of issuing notices and refusing to grant trade licences for allegedly unauthorised PG operations.

The court noted that PG accommodations have become an important housing option for students,...