JOIN US13 years on, wait continues for basic amenities at BDA layout
Over 400 families living in Anjana Nagar further extension 9, 10 and 11th layout off Magadi Road have been waiting for basic amenities. The layout, developed by the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA), lacks drinking water, sewer connections and proper roads even 13 years after it was formed.
The BDA advertised for the layout in 2001 and allotted a total of 4,500 sites of various dimensions by 2002-03. So far, however, only 400 families have built houses while many allottees have sold off their sites.
The residents waited for eight years for the BDA to provide basic amenities. Thereafter, they joined hands and formed the Lal Bahadur Shastri Nagar Residents’ Welfare Association.
They made 17 representations to different BDA commissioners till December 2013. On Tuesday, the frustrated citizens approached D K Suresh, the Bangalore Rural MP, who then called a meeting with BDA officials at the agency’s head office.
“I am shocked... It’s only because of the BDA’s delay and negligence that the residents have been suffering for over a decade,” Suresh told Deccan Herald, adding that he had asked the BDA to take immediate action.
The agency promised to complete all the works, estimated at Rs 300 crore, within 12-15 months, he said.
Sampath Kumar, president of the association, said the allottees had paid Rs 150 per sq ft. “We are regular tax payers. We accept that we should have checked for the amenities before the layout was formed. But as per BDA rules, it is their duty to provide facilities before allotting the sites,” he explained.
The residents made 17 representations to the BDA which kept passing the buck to the BWSSB and other agencies. “We hope the layout will be developed at least now.” In the wake of increasing thefts and other crimes, residents have requested for a police outpost nearby.
BDA’s fault
T Sham Bhat, the BDA Commissioner, conceded that it was the agency’s fault. “The BDA did delay in providing the amenities. At the last board meeting, we received approval for completing road and electrical works. Tenders for road works have been invited. We have spoken to the BWSSB and even identified land to give to them,” he said. A detailed project report worth Rs 3.97 crore had also been prepared and given to the BWSSB.
Bhat insisted that the BDA had “learnt its lesson”. “From now on, we will ensure plots are allotted only after we have completed the possession of land, called the tenders and provided infrastructure. Then only will we invite applications for allotment.”