BDA struggling to sell CA sites in Kempegowda Layout

Besides the regular sites, many civic amenities or CA sites at Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Layout are getting returned, prompting the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) to renotify them.

Though the BDA had notified 18 CA sites in the layout, it had responses for 10 of them. "We've received applications for schools, hospitals and samudaya bhavans (community halls)," a BDA official told DH, admitting that the response has been far below their expectations.

Those applying for the CA sites had apparently told the BDA that they will develop them in the long run, meaning they will probably violate BDA rules to develop the sites immediately and would rather wait for infrastructure to be ready.

In fact, many have withdrawn their applications to buy the sites due to lack of facilities and the considerable distance to the layout from the city. This has left the BDA anxious since this is the first time citizens are rejecting CA sites.

Measuring between 0.5 and four acres, the CA sites do not include parks and playgrounds, which the BDA has planned to create on buffer zones basis.

The authority’s rules stipulate that 10% of the layout should be reserved for the CA sites. In Kempegowda Layout, the land reserved for the CA site is less.

In the first and second phase, the BDA had formed 5,000 sites each. "The CA sites have been carved out based on the availability of space in the layout with the BDA. The engineering wing had identified 22 CA sites, but only 18 were notified for people and four are reserved for the government agencies," the official said.

The Kempegowda Layout is sprawled over 4043.27 acres, of which 2383.11 acres is with the BDA and is litigation-free. In this land, the BDA marked out 17,900 sites and 18 CA sites.

It held the last meeting on CA sites on September 25, but the final list of allottees was not decided. BDA sources said the final list of CA allottees will be decided by Deputy Chief Minister and Bengaluru Development Minister G Parameshwara instead of the BDA board.

"After he finalises the list, a resolution will be passed and signed by the BDA secretary. The list will then be made public," a BDA source said.