JOIN USBDA move to reclaim vacant sites raises owners' hackles
The move by the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) to amend the BDA Act to reclaim the vacant plots allotted 10 years ago has not gone down well with site owners.
The BDA is preparing for a survey of vacant lands it allotted in its previous layouts and also those approved by it. The authority wants to use them to meet the growing housing demand in a burgeoning city like Bengaluru.
People who have been allotted sites in Anjanapura, Banashankari 6th stage and Sir M Visvesvaraya Layout, however, suggested that the authority focus on improving facilities in its existing layouts, instead of reclaiming the sites.
According to BDA sources, many sites are vacant in Banashankari and further extensions, Sir M Visvesvaraya Layout, Anjananagar, Anjanapura and further extensions, Arkavathi, Nagarabhavi and in many private layouts approved by it.
The BDA is planning to conduct a detailed survey of all allotted sites in the city to know how many are vacant on ground, especially of allottees who have not yet been issued absolute sale deed. The aim is to reclaim at least 10,000 sites, the sources said.
Absolute sale deeds
The official pointed out that problems started when the then S M Krishna government decided to give absolute sale deed, instead of the lease-cum-sale deed, which makes it difficult for the BDA to reclaim.
“We need to amend the existing BDA Act to reclaim these sites by correcting the ‘mistake’ made by the then government,” an official said. Without paying attention to the provision of basic amenities like drains and water connection, sites were allotted in a hurry. Formation of extensions of these layouts was also ordered. Sites were allotted, but not many were occupied, due to lack of facilities. Even today, there is little coordination with other departments.
‘No drain, water facility’
Sampath Kumar, president of the Lal Bahadur Shastri Nagar Residents’ Welfare Association, Anjanapura extension, said the layout was formed 12 years ago and still does not have drainage and water connection. He wondered why people should suffer, because of the incapability of the government departments.
On the other hand, Shankar Prasad, an allottee in Banashankari 6th stage further extension, said the idea of the BDA to acquire sites back was good as this will cap price escalation and ensure that sites do not land up in the hands of realtors. He demanded that the BDA be in a position to give alternative sites.