Influential men set to stymie Arkavathy Layout formation

Influential men want their lands back
New Indian Express

BANGALORE: The proposed Arkavathy Layout areas are home to frenetic construction activities now. These are lands earmarked by the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) for developing sites. But some developers as well as land-owners are making last ditch efforts to get their lands denotified.

The construction activity picked up pace only after the Janata Dal (S), the coalition partner of the Congress, assured people that no residential houses will be demolished at the proposed layout.

If the pressures mounted by these powerful ‘‘land lords’’ prevail, then the BDA will lose about 400 acre. It will be in no position to create 20,000 sites as promised then, sources told the Express.

The BDA, which is in the process of giving compensation to owners to formally take over the lands into its possession, is said to have referred the files of three influential persons to the government, sources said. The files are pending its approval.

BDA in its final notification had acquired 2,750 acres. This included the lands of a prominent civil contractor from North Karnataka and that of two leading land developers from Bangalore.

According to sources, Manyata Promoters — a real estate firm promoted by the contractor - is holding 131.07 acre in the area. He has now asked the BDA to return the land.

Similarly, a leading land developer with Kannada film connections is a GPA holder for 139.23 acre. Strangely, he holds GPA of these lands on behalf of the BEML Employees Association. These lands are spread in and around Hennur, Geddalahalli, Thanisandra, Amaani Byrathikhane, Sampige Halli and Narayanapura villages that will be part of the proposed layout.

Another leading developer from the city also has about 100 acre of prime land located a few meters from the Hebbal Flyover.

This apart, some prominent political leaders including a former minister, are also trying to get their lands denotified, sources said.

The BDA is learnt to have resisted the move of these land developers.