Slow pace of civil works in Kempegowda Layout irks site owners, officials

Those coveting a site to build a dream house at Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Layout in West Bengaluru  need to put a freeze on the process as civil works in the area are advancing at a snail's pace.

The delay is largely blamed on the paucity of labourers and lack of facilities. While workers usually put up makeshift homes near construction sites, they are currently taking a long time to build the labour camps at Kempegowda Layout to ensure they have adequate facilities.

Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) officials said works such as road-laying are 80% through, while works concerning water, electricity and sanitation have just begun.

Despite the two-year deadline set by the BDA to complete the civil works, it could not meet the timeframe passed in August 2017. "It could take some time to complete the works as the housing colony is at a distance and the workers are first constructing amenities for themselves to stay," said a BDA official.

This has irked officials and citizens wanting to occupy the allotted space in the colony before prices of construction materials begin to go through the roof.

"We visited the layout to check how far the civic works have gone, but we were shocked as there seems to be no noticeable progress on the ground.

"At this pace, the BDA will almost certainly delay handing over the plots, which would be against the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act 2016," said a citizen.

The situation is not any better at Arkavathy Layout, where the BDA is yet to complete the electrical works. "Civil works are almost over. Electrical works are happening slowly. Since most of the area is under litigation, contractors and workers are finding it difficult to complete it. Those in the area and its surroundings are demanding facilities but are not willing to cooperate," the official added.