Master Plan 2015 faulty, say experts

Master Plan 2015 faulty, say experts

The Hindu

`It doesn't consider Bangalore in regional context'

BANGALORE: The comprehensive revised draft Master Plan 2015, developed by the Bangalore Development Authority in consultation with a French agency, is faulty in that it does not consider Bangalore in a regional context, said speakers at a workshop on the Master Plan.

The Master Plan unlike the plan in 1995, does not refer to the growth of industries or population in Mangalore, Belgaum, Dharwad or Hubli.

Even the structure plan prepared by the Bangalore Metropolitan Region Development Authority does not find a mention in it.

"The vision document should have given a thought to improving infrastructure in other parts of the State and reducing the pressure on Bangalore," said S.C. Kari Gowda, former Director of Town Planning, at the event organised by the Institute of Town Planners and the Indian Institute of Architects.

L.R. Vagle, former United Nations town planning advisor, said the Master Plan should have included a policy on what industries can be developed in the city and in the other regional areas in the State.

"Not all investment has to come to Bangalore. Even Hubli, Mysore and Dharwad are growing rapidly," he said.

Land use

Participants of the workshop also criticised the Master Plan for its land use classification as they said it was different from the ones prescribed in the Karnataka Town Planning Act.

"The tables and classifications are so new and confusing that even veteran town planners and architects are finding it difficult to decipher it.

"How do we expect the local authorities to understand it and sanction plans accordingly?" they asked.

The Master Plan also does not have any consolidated statement for showing existing land use details making it difficult to assess the land reserved for different users in the plan, they said.

Architects and town planners at the workshop also disapproved of the Master Plan's proposal to increase the floor area ratio (FAR) by more than 100 per cent.

The floor area ratio in the Master Plan varies from 2.5 per cent to 3.25 per cent and is more than double of the ratio that is allowed for builders at present.

The proposal of premium floor area ratio was also frowned upon as unacceptable.

Premium floor area ratio can be allotted to a person if he is willing to pay more money or if he gives a piece of land for road widening.

"Is the Master Plan in floor area ratio business? This proposal will just add to the chaos," said A.S. Kodandapani, town planning consultant.

V.M. Hegde, director of town planning, said a list of suggestions on amending the draft Master Plan had been sent to the Government.

The list included concerns voiced by the town planners and architects on land use zoning and floor area ratio.