Those who have applied for sites breathe a sigh of relief

Those who have applied for sites breathe a sigh of relief

The Hindu

I am so glad that the judgment was in the BDA's favour: A.V. Suresh

BANGALORE: V. Suseela is finally breathing a sigh of relief. After 20 years, her dream of possessing a site in Bangalore seems to be coming true. The 50-year-old woman is one of the 20,000 applicants short-listed by the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) for a site in Arkavathy Layout.

The Karnataka High Court on Friday allowed the BDA to go ahead with work on the 2,750-acre layout falling within 16 villages coming under the Yelahanka and Krishnarajapuram hoblis of Bangalore North taluk and Bangalore East taluk. The BDA had collected Rs. 930 crores as initial deposit from applicants.

This is the seventh attempt made by Ms. Suseela for a BDA site, and even though there were many problems with the formation of the layout, she says she remained confident that she would get one this time. "I knew the Government would come through," she said. She has been short-listed for a 30 ft by 40 ft site.

A.V. Suresh, a businessman, has also been frantically trying for a BDA site for 20 years. Finally things seem to be looking up. On his ninth attempt he has been short-listed for a site. "I am so glad that the judgment was in the BDA's favour. I have been keeping my fingers crossed and praying for this," he said.

Mr. Suresh said he used all his savings to pay the initial deposit on the 40 ft by 60 ft site. "I was really worried when my money was caught up in the BDA for a long time. I had pulled it out of the bank and was losing a lot of interest on it," he added.

But, he said that he will pull the money out of the bank once again to repay the initial deposit for the site. "I cannot let go of this site. I will not get it for this price ever again."

Many individuals had taken bank loans and pawned jewellery for the initial deposit on the sites. Because of the delay in the project, several of them lost a lot of money.