JOIN USLandfill site hits housing prices in Mandur
Bangalore’s garbage is killing the land economics of Mandur.
Residential real estate that should have seen sky-rocketing prices over the last three years is facing a slowdown.
Also, Mandur is experiencing isolation in the overall real estate picture between Yelahanka and Hoskote, a region that has otherwise seen sharp rise in land prices. The isolation, both social and economic, is a direct fallout of the landfill in the village which receives almost 4,000 tonnes of garbage from Bangalore every day.
People who have bought sites in Mandur are not building homes. People who wanted to buy sites are not doing so, says Asha Hegde, a real estate broker, off the village close to Hoskote, Bangalore East.
Unable to sell plots
“A few families had bought sites a few years ago, but are now not willing to build homes because of the landfill and the stench. They have examined the area and the problems around the landfill, after which they decided not to come here. They are also unable to sell their plots. We have come across people who initially wanted to buy sites but are now reluctant because of landfill,” she said.
“Many people tell us they don’t want to stay within three-kilometre radius of the landfill where there has been no development of residential colonies. Sites have been marked, but there is no sign of construction. People are hesitant because they dread the breakout of disease. This fear stalls plans to be a Mandur resident,” she added.
Mandur being close to Hoskote, and being part of Bangalore East limits (in which Whitefield is doing well in real estate), should have seen boom in real estate prices.
Better prices on borders
But Mandur area, specifically, has seen a rise of only Rs 200-300 per sq ft over the last three years. Land outside or on the borders of the village may fetch better prices as it does not fall within the three-kilometre radius. Prices of sites of 30x40 dimension sell at just Rs 12 lakh, 60x40 at around Rs 24 lakh and an acre between Rs 60-80 lakh. Industrial land, however, touches a crore and more.
“This rise in the price from 2010 is negligible compared with the prices in North and East Bangalore, which have seen rises over Rs 2,000 per sq ft or more. I am talking of only residential land,” says Asha Hegde.
Mandur Gram Panchayat member Rakesh Gowda says if land around the landfill is converted into industrial land, only then will sellers gain. “Everything depends on conversion of land. Selling land for residential purposes won’t see buyers.”
Confederation of Real Estate Developers of India (Credai) Karnataka president Nagaraj Reddy points out that Mandur area has been declared a sensitive zone by the government. “You cannot develop land in an area that is off-limits. The land is perhaps best sold to industry. Residents wouldn’t stay close to landfill.”
If land prices have to go up sharply, landfill has to be eliminated from Mandur, whose residents say garbage should be dumped at places with no habitation.