BMRDA wants work on satellite townships hastened

The Bangalore Metropolitan Region Development Authority (BMRDA), which is planning six satellite townships, wants the government to urge developers and builders to invest in them. 

Five of these townships will come up in Nelamangala (735 sq km), Kanakapura (412.78 sq km), Magadi (501.52 sq km), Anekal (402.30 sq km) and Hoskote (535 sq km) and the draft master plans have been prepared. Once government gives approval, development is expected to be speeded up. 

City planners and government think tanks have been suggesting that development should move away from the City and its outskirts to the satellite townships. A BMRDA official told Deccan Herald: “There is government pressure on the BMRDA to expedite growth on the City’s outskirts. But we are requesting the government to help us by asking investors to put their money in the townships and set up residential and commercial units there.” 

The official pointed out that integrated townships, clustered houses, gated communities and other upscale residences were coming up under the BBMP or the BDA limits but very few under the BMRDA limits. The government should consider the request so that infrastructure improves, connectivity is enhanced and development takes place. This will help in decongesting Bangalore, so if these areas develop, people will not flock to the City. 

The BMRDA has received town planning approval for the Bangalore International Airport Area Planning Authority (BIAAPA) in an area of 792 sq km. Currently, the master plans are being revised and base maps revised. Objections have been invited and will be heard soon after the elections. The GPS and the GPRS maps for developing the areas are being prepared. R K Mishra, member of the Agenda for Bengaluru Infrastructure and Development (ABIDe) Task Force, said that it was very short-sighted of the government not to plan for the townships. 

Citing the example of Noida and Gurgaon, Delhi’s satellite towns, he said that the government there auctioned the land to builders and provided connectivity. But in Bangalore, government agencies are competing with builders, he said. The government should confine itself to providing connectivity and ask builders to develop the townships. The idea proposed by the BMRDA is good but builders would not move beyond Bangalore as they do not see any benefits. But if proper incentives are given, they will, he added.