Karnataka grants 40% land in developed layouts to land owners

"The developed layouts would be owned by the urban development authorities and land owners in the ratio of 60:40. The model has been adopted by the Gujarat Government and emulated in several other states," Urban Development minister S Suresh Kumar told reporters here.

"In developed layouts, 45 per cent of the total area would be allotted for residential, 15 per cent for parks and open spaces, 10 per cent for civic amenities and 30 per cent for roads. Urban development authorities (UDAs) of Bijapur, Shimoga and Tumkur have been working out a plan to develop layouts on 60:40," he said.

There are 29 urban development authorities, 35 planning authorities and 46 municipal planning authorities in the state.

Noting scarcity of lands coming in the way of formation of layouts in UDAs, Kumar said he was dissatisfied with functioning of 15 UDAs which have not taken up works in their jurisdictions.

Shortage of land was a major problem in Kodagu district, he said, adding all UDAs which failed to implement works would be downgraded as planning authorities.

The Karnataka Town and Country Planning Act, 1961,would be amended on a model of a legislation developed by Town Planning Organsiation, New Delhi. The State's Town Planning Department has been asked to prepare a draft of the Act in two months.

Officials of urban bodies have also been instructed to take into account heritages sites and other historical monuments while preparing master plans, the minister said.

To bring in consensus on Transfer of Development Rights, he said the department has decided to hold a seminar on the issue on September 7 here.

Officials of UDAs, town planners, NGOs and stakeholders and experts from Maharashtra and Gujarat would be invited, he said.