Don’t worry, we’ll protect allottees: BDA

Don’t worry, we’ll protect allottees: BDA
The Times of India

Bangalore: What’s next? That’s the million-dollar question doing the rounds in the minds of many who were dreaming to own a site in Arkavathy Layout.

With the high court quashing BDA’s land acquisition process for forming the layout on Friday, all that BDA commissioner M.N. Vidyashankar would say is: “The best interests of the BDA and the people will be protected.’’ He told The Times of India that the site applicants’ money will be safeguarded.

A record 2.35 lakh people applied for sites when the project was announced and BDA collected Rs 954.27 crore as the deposit amount. Since only 20,000 of them were to get sites, BDA later returned Rs 824 crore to 2.15 lakh of the applicants. Prior to the judgment, the BDA had also drawn up a list of probable allottees but not announced it.

Vidyashankar is in no mood to let out BDA’s next course of action. “I can’t comment until I see a certified copy of the 525-page judgment and we have already applied for a copy,” he said, admitting that the news was totally unexpected.

A highly placed official, however, said the BDA would definitely appeal. After the judgment was passed, BDA officials were huddled in a meeting with urban development officials for a long time.

Prior to the judgment, the BDA had enough land to form nearly 12,000 to 14,000 sites. Originally, it was supposed to form 31,000 sites (20,000 for the layout) and 11,000 sites for those who “voluntarily’’ gave up land. The source said that technically, the BDA Act did allow the authority to compensate Arkavathy Layout probable allottees with sites elsewhere. When contacted, most of those who had not yet got back their deposits just wanted the money returned. Of course, a few disagreed as well.

For, Pratibha K. (name changed), Arkavathy Layout was her fourth attempt to get a BDA site. And she said she would rather have a site than get her money back. She put down over Rs 56,000 for a 60x40 ft site. “I still want a site in Bangalore. I’m prepared to settle for a site elsewhere, if I don’t get one in Arkavathy Layout,’’ she said.
Archana Kamath was, however, fed up. She too had applied for a 60x40 ft site. “I just want my money back. Anyway, if it is with the BDA, it does not earn me anything,’’ she said.

Sources said the government and BDA had the provision to go in appeal against the single judge order.
Other projects? The HC also ordered that the BDA has no jurisdiction to come up with development schemes in Bangalore Metropolitan Area. So, what does that spell for BDA’s much-hyped Rs 490-crore Hi-Tech City project? Or, its ongoing-flyover projects? This aspect is yet to be clarified.

THE ARKAVATHY STORY SO FAR

• Mooted by former BDA commissioner Jayakar Jerome, the preliminary notification was issued on Feb. 3, 2003 for acquiring 3,839 acres encompassing 16 villages.
• Final notification for 2,750 acres.
• 20,000 sites were planned at a cost of Rs 195 per sqft. Some 2.5 lakh people applied. BDA collected Rs 954.27 crore as deposit.
• Estimated cost: Rs 933.47 crore.
• Of the 20,000 sites, 2,500 sites of 50x80 ft dimension; 3,500 sites of 60x40; 6,000 sites of 30x40; 8,000 of 20x30.
• In July 2004, the government directed BDA to stall the layout process reportedly due to irregularities in tendering. Fresh tenders ordered. Protesting it, Jerome went on leave and was subsequently shifted.
• M.N. Vidyashankar, who took over as BDA chief, re-tendered the civil works split into 22 packages. The layout plan was redesigned.
• The layout was to have two 100-ft roads connecting the four corridors, 386 km of road network, two lakes to be sourced from rainwater, Cauvery water supply for drinking and secondary treated water for non-domestic purposes, mini-sewage treatment plants.
• CM Dharam Singh said the project was on track and announced that 20,000 sites would be allotted by Jan. 15.
• Some 800-plus petitions filed against land acquisition for layout. Site allotment did not happen by January 15 due to litigation.
• The BDA, which screened the probable 20,000 site allottees, returned Rs 824 crore to 2.15 lakh unsuccessful applicants.
• On Friday, the court set aside the land-acquisition process.

BDA LAYOUTS SINCE 1998


Anjanapura:
459 acres, 6,700 sites

Its extension:
487 acres, 3,900 sites

Sir M.V. Layout:
1,337 acres, 15,400 sites

Its extension:
510 acres, 5,300 sites

BSK VI Stage Layout:
1,598 acres, 17,800 sites

Its extension:
750 acres, 5,900 sites