Residents take BDA to task at meet on master plan

There was chaos at the Bengaluru Development Authority’s (BDA) public consultation on the Bengaluru master plan 2031 at Yelahanka zone on Wednesday.

Locals, farmers and land losers of north Bengaluru were so agitated that they didn’t even let the BDA complete its presentation on the pre-draft of the proposed master plan. People grabbed the microphones to address the officials who, according to them, had come for the first time to seek their opinion. The BDA was holding the meeting for residents of Bettahalasur, Ganiganahalli, Hunsamaranahalli, Kannur, Marenahalli, Rajanakunte, Shivakote, Singanayakanahalli, Amanikere and Sonnappanahalli. Residents of north Bengaluru demanded basic facilities before the city is developed any further. They demanded adequate water supply and proper roads, which were lacking in the fast-growing localities.

P Nagaraj, a former taluk board member, questioned the capability of BDA and the government. “How can the BDA think of expanding further when it is yet to pay dues to land owners for formation of the Arkavathy Layout, peripheral ring road and truck terminals? BDA first needs to set its priorities right,” he said.

Others pointed out that when the BDA is not able to handle its existing projects, it should not take up anything new. “Till date, the BDA was silent on our problems. Now, officials have come seeking our opinion for expanding Bengaluru,” remarked K Das, a land-loser terming the exercise a farce.