Should vacant BDA sites be taken back from allottees?

Will it be feasible for the Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA) to take back vacant sites that were allotted to people but have not seen any construction activity for years?

Seeking the opinions of members in the Legislative Council on this, Bengaluru Development Minister K.J. George, on Thursday, said several BDA site allottees in the last few decades were actually indulging in trading of sites.

BJP member V. Somanna raised the issue of allottees neither being given sufficient time to construct homes in Kempegowda Layout, nor being provided with basic infrastructure.

Mr. George responded that the government had been reasonable in giving the people a duration of two years and also providing them with amenities. “The time frame of two years to construct homes on BDA sites is applicable to allottees only after the basic infrastructure is provided. Unfortunately, however, most vacant sites allotted are being used by people for trading purposes. Hence, we legislators should decide on whether we should take back these unused sites that have been lying vacant for years,” he said.

On the high pricing of the BDA sites in Kempegowda Layout, the Minister said the charges were fixed keeping in mind the development costs incurred by the BDA.

Refund

While the BDA had called for applications for 5,000 sites, 25,000 people had applied. However, almost all unsuccessful applicants had been refunded their deposit amount except around 500 people. These 500 had not provided their RTGS supporting account numbers. A total of ₹450 crore has been refunded so far, Mr. George added.