CDP: Questions that haunt you, and the answers

Questions that haunt you, and the answers
The Times of India

Bangalore: “What is my area going to look like ten years from now?’’ “And, where can I buy land to build a home in Bangalore?’’ Such questions have been haunting Bangaloreans ever since the BDA put its draft masterplan-2015 for the city on public display. So, we decided to give citizens a chance to share their doubts and anxieties with us. Here are three questions from the first batch of emails we received on Wednesday.

Major Ramesh: “Can BDA brochures (on the draft masterplan) be put on the Internet so that people away from Bangalore can read them?’’
A: They are on the BDA website: www.bdabangalore.org. The main page has a link to masterplan 2015. It is in English at present and has four sections: the brochure, zonal regulations, suggestion forms and one for filling up feedback forms online.

Prem Kamath: “Which development zones do the following survey numbers in Ramassandra village, Kengeri hobli, Bangalore South Taluk, fall: 7, 01, 165, 165/2, 166?’’
A: It is difficult to pinpoint landuse like this. The draft masterplan is on display so that people can come and check what zones have been prescribed for such survey numbers. We have put up district-wise (Bangalore has 47 development districts) maps. And there is a kiosk at Yavanika for people to check survey numbers. We also plan kiosks in various parts of the city so that people can look up such things closer to their homes.

K.S. Nagendra: “There are many changes in landuse patterns in proposed CDP. Land earlier under greenbelt in south Bangalore on Bannerghatta Road is now shown as coming under BMICAPA (Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor Area Planning Authority). Is BMICAPA the authority to sanction plans and modify landusage? BDA should have brought out a booklet with details on land, proposed usage patterns and the jurisdiction of various agencies.Also, till new plan comes into effect, can existing agencies effect landuse changes?
A: Yes, BMICAPA is the relevant authority. Landuse details are available on the BDA website. Jurisdictional areas are shown on the first map in the conference room in Yavanika. And, we reiterate once again that until the public display is over — till September 12 — there will no changes in landusage anywhere, by any agency.

(Note: Questions 1 & 2 answered by BDA PRO T.C. Kathyayini, question 3 by BDA commissioner M.N. Vidyashankar)