TDR: Govt to involve stakeholders before taking final decision

Technical workshop conducted to discuss pros and cons

Organised by the Department of Town Planning in tandem with the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA), the workshop had participants from various implementing authorities including the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP).

Officials from Maharashtra and Gujarat made presentations about TDR, its pros, cons and the success in its implementation.

Good system

Advisor to Chief Minister on Urban Planning, A Ravindra, said: “TDR is a good system which has worked in some states. However, its success will depend on the implementation and that’s what has called for such a workshop.”

He also pointed out that TDR could be lost in the papers with little or no effect if the Akrama Sakrama Bill comes into effect.

“As long as people know their properties are anyway going to be regularised, why will there be a demand for TDR?” he quipped.

Further, Urban Development Minister S Suresh Kumar, without commenting on the infamous road-widening issue, said: “People in Mangalore say they are okay with the system, while Bangaloreans say this is not a viable proposal. This is why we have this workshop. We will deliberate over the issue, consult all stakeholders and then come to a decision.”

Clearing the cloud over why the workshop was not open to citizens, he said the workshop was for officials from various departments to learn and understand the various aspects of TDR. “We will definitely involve all the stakeholders but only after we have understood how this works and have a concrete blueprint,” he added.