Rural Bangalore’s development programmes face roadblock

Rural Bangalore’s development programmes face roadblock
The Times of India

Bangalore: Development and construction work in Rural Bangalore’s six towns — Magadi, Nelamangala, Kanakapura, Hoskote, Anekal and Ramanagara-Channapatna — has faced a temporary roadblock as the state government banned land conversions till the year end.

The Bangalore Metropolitan Region Development Authority (BMRDA), under whose jurisdiction the six towns are located, has asked the revenue department to stop land conversions (converting agricultural lands for non-agricultural purposes) in the 3,500 odd sq km.

Consequently, BMRDA has also stopped layout approvals in these areas from July 14. However, this does not apply to areas situated under BMICAPA and BIAAPA jurisdictions.

This move is because BMRDA is preparing the interim masterplan for these towns and the work is scheduled for completion in five months, informed BMRDA commissioner Sudhir Krishna on Monday.

Addressing reporters, he said, “We have asked the deputy commissioner of Bangalore not to convert lands till the masterplan work is completed. Absence of masterplan in the region has led to haphazard development as lands are in great demand in Rural Bangalore. There is a mismatch in planning and layouts have come up without adequate amenities.”

Normally, a masterplan work takes not less than two to four years for completion, but BMRDA plans to finish it in five months. The authorities have roped in ISRO and will use satellite images which will be compressed with computer applications at a cost of Rs 1.5 crore.

BMRDA has finalised the consultants for the project and work will begin within a week.

Survey for ring roads: BMRDA, which has taken up construction of a 800 km network of ring roads and radial roads connecting all taluk headquarters in Rural Bangalore, has commenced the survey work. The project, taken up at a cost of Rs 4,000 crore, will have 300 feet wide ring roads. The Central government, under national highways development programme will carry out the detailed project report.

Satellite town waiting govt nod: BMRDA’s proposed five integrated townships is awaiting government approval, the commissioner informed adding that an amendment to the BMRDA Act has been proposed to empower the organisation to take up the project.

CHECKLIST
BMRDA has asked buyers to check with the authorities before investing in a property under its jurisdiction. A list of layouts approved by the BMRDA has been put up on the organisation’s website www.bmrda.org where people can check before buying the site or call the BMRDA for details.