BDA to hold talks with BMRDA on revised master plan

In an effort to decongest the city, Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) is contemplating development of five satellite townships proposed by Bangalore Metropolitan Region Development Authority (BMRDA).

A senior BDA official, on condition of anonymity, said that space being a major constraint, the only option is to develop townships. “We are planning to hold talks with BMRDA officials on speeding up the process of developing them with all infrastructure and even joining hands with them. BDA is also including this in the revised master plan- 2031,” the official said.

BMRDA has proposed to create five satellite townships in Nelamangala, Kanakapura, Magadi, Anekal and Hoskote. “We have learnt that the plan is moving slowly. Also, during the draft master plan consultation meetings, people demanded that the growth from Bengaluru city be extended towards these townships. We too are thinking on the same lines,” he said.

The official added that their survey reports have shown that there is no space left in the city. “The city is growing at a rapid pace and its growth cannot be curtailed. Ministers from the city are also thinking on these lines to decongest Bengaluru,” he stated.

Apart from this, BDA is also holding talks with the transport department on how the transport system to the townships and city outskirts can be improved and incorporated in the master plan. All alternatives and probabilities are being worked out.

Buffer zones

The official asserted that the 75-metre buffer zone around water bodies as directed by the National Green Tribunal will be maintained while chalking out the master plan. “Though the state government has challenged the NGT orders in the Supreme Court, we will go by the NGT orders till the apex court passes a new order,” he said.