BCC eyes widening of 10 roads on TDR basis

BCC eyes widening of 10 roads on TDR basis
The Times of India

Bangalore: Amid rumbles in the infrastructure sector, widening of roads invoking the provisions of Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) has emerged as priority for the BCC.

Of the 46 city roads slated for widening, 10 busy arterials will be taken up on a priority basis — Hosur Road, Palace Road, Airport Road, Hosur Luskar Road, Victoria Road, Murphy Road, Kensington Road, Dickenson Road, Ulsoor Road and Bellary Road. They are being tackled simply because of traffic congestion on these roads which are a continuous stretch.

Hosur Road, the first road targeted for widening, according to BCC officials, has gained most progress with the TDR.

After a comprehensive briefing to the property owners on what giving up portions
of land for a d eve l o p m e n t rights certificate entails, the BCC officials have given formal requisition TDR forms to 250 properties on Hosur Road.

The flip side: Only six property owners have returned filled in forms, expressing interest in acquiring a TDR certificate. A ditto scenario ensues at Victoria Road, Bellary Road among others.

Alignment of just how much land is required from either side of a particular road is pertinent. For instance, the National Dairy Research Institute, which stands aloft on central government land at Hosur Road, has voluntarily given up 400 metres of land from the vast vacant stretch in the courtyard. Using this, say BCC officials, is advantageous for many because this means knocking off lesser land from others in the vicinity.

There’s respite at other roads, like the saving grace at Palace Road is that of the identified 27 properties, 22 are owned by government, and formal requisition letters would be sent as intimation. No bargaining and convincing required here. The pet peeve of BCC officials is that citizens are “apprehensive that land-grabbing is going on.’’

Explains an official who has meticulously looked into issuing TDR forms: “A TDR certificate is like government currency. In five or ten years from now, people can encash it, the situation will be similar like the present real estate boom.’’

TDR NEWSTABS

Road-widening alignment ready for 10 roads. The identified land marked across four roads, the remaining six to be ready in a week.
Comprehensive property details ready for all 10 identified roads — property size, worth etc.
Demarcation done by building compound walls on the identified road. For instance, a compound wall has come up next to Carlton House, Palace Road.

10 PRIORITY ROADS STATUS



Hosur Road (includes Luskar Road)
250 TDR forms given

Bellary Road
40 forms given out

Palace Road
24 forms given to property owners

Airport Road
Identification and updating of properties in progress

Victoria Road
25 forms given out of 40 identified properties

Dickenson Road
Invoking TDR unnecessary because government land is involved

Ulsoor Road
Tracing properties which will be affected

Kensington Road
Tracing properties

Murphy Road
Preparing roadwidening alignment