BDA sites: More than 2.5 lakh applicants

BDA sites: More than 2.5 lakh applicants
Friday July 11 2008 09:07 IST

Bosky Khanna

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BANGALORE: Reviewing the increasing demand for sites for housing in the burgeoning Bangalore metropolis, the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) will soon have to increase its jurisdiction area to meet the demand, as the number of applicants waiting for a piece of land to have a roof over their head is mounting.

The BDA office is already flooded with around 2.50 lakh pending applications since 2004 and many more are pouring in for the yet-to-be notified Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Layout, between Magadi Road and Mysore Road.

BDA received 2,37,090 applications during Arkavathi Layout's notification on February 21, 2004 for 20,000 sites. The agency then allotted 8,813 sites. The remaining were not allotted due to litigation in the Supreme Court. ''We already have 2.50 lakh pending applications for a site and many more are floating in, but space is a constraint,'' BDA Commissioner Siddhaiah told this website's newspaper.

This number is increasing due to objections, inquiry and applications for site.

Here, 60,000 sites have been earmarked for development in the proposed Kempegowda layout.

Of this, a large chunk would go to farmers whose lands have been acquired. Around 100 acres has been earmarked for constructing budget houses for the poor and a significant portion would also go for commercial, CA sites, greenbelts and water bodies.

There are many genuine revenue site applicants also, which the BDA is thinking of accommodating in the layouts.

This further restricts the chances of many applicants getting sites. People must have patience as four more layouts await government approval. To accommodate all the aspirants, the BDA Act needs to be amended, added Siddhaiah.

The list of applicants include economically weaker sections, SC/STs, retired military personnel, Central and State government officials, freedom fighters and the general public. The list also includes many IAS, IP and IFS officers seeking sites through the Metropolitan Housing Society.

The society based on government orders, acquires large chunks of land and develops sites for these officials. This number is increasing with increasing postings, limiting the chances of landless commoners.