Arkavathy allottees write to chief minister

To build pressure on Bangalore Development Authority (BDA), 8,813 Arkavathy Layout allottees, who are yet to get possession of their sites, have approached Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, hoping to receive support from the Congress government. The party had vociferously championed their cause during the BJP rule.

The Arkavathy Layout Allottees Association (ALAA), in its letter, has said more than 5,000 sites had been registered, with property taxes paid in the last seven years, and around 4,000 sites were unregistered, but bought after paying the complete site cost.

“The BDA and the previous government denotified the allotted sites against the BDA Act and reduced basic amenities from 25 per cent to 15 per cent per acre. Till date, only fake promises were made, but not a single stone turned to start the project. The project, which began with 2,750 acres in 2005, is now left with approximately 750 acres for allottees,” the letter to the chief minister said. The ALAA is hopeful that the project will start soon as the cost of construction for the allottees has tripled already.

The Arkavathy Layout project was undertaken by BDA in 2003. However, even after a prolonged legal battle, which went to the Supreme Court, the allottees await a conclusive solution. The BDA had acquired 2,750 acre for the project. Many farmers had challenged the decision before the High Court of Karnataka, which ruled in favour of BDA.

They then filed an appeal in the apex court, which ruled in favour of the acquisition with certain riders in favour of the land owners. The allottees have been looking forward to the formation of the layout, so that they can construct their houses.