Yet again, Bangalore Development Authority’s (BDA) two-bedroom flats that are ready for occupation, have received poor response from buyers. While the three earlier allotment rounds saw under subscription, the latest round is also under subscribed.
The BDA is all set to allot over 800 two-bedroom flats at three sites in the city on June 18. However, there are only 290 applicants who are eligible to participate in the allotment lottery.
This is not the first time the BDA is facing poor response for its flats. In November last, the authority’s allotment of one-bedroom flats was not well received, and of the 1,400 flats notified, only around 960 were allotted.
BDA officials conceded that there was a huge difference between the number of flats at Doddabanhalli, near ITPL, and the number of applicants. A senior official, on condition of anonymity, told The Hindu that with higher purchase power, many citizens were now able to afford luxurious flats constructed by private builders. “This is true especially in the case of Doddabanhalli, where most of the residents are software professionals,” the official said.
However, the official pointed out that with full handover still around eight months away, the demand for the flats may go up. “When the applications were called in last February, construction of the flats had not yet begun. After the allotment next week, we will invite applications for another round; and we are confident that the numbers will see a definite increase then,” he said.
Officials also said that once allotment was done, the allottees would have to pay the cost of the flat (Rs. 25 lakh) in four instalments i.e. once in two months, following which the flats would be handed over. The officials added that there was no rebate for two-bedroom flats for those from the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes.
Meanwhile, BDA Commissioner T. Sham Bhatt maintained that there were sufficient numbers of applicants. He said applications were more for some projects compared to others. “We will give them an option to chose flats in other projects,” he said.
Projects ready for allotment
Doddabanhalli, near ITPL: 624 flats, 159 applicants
Valagerahalli on Mysuru Road: 48 flats, 45 applicants
Kanminike, off Mysuru Road: 150 flats, 86 applicants
Dimension of the two-bedroom flat: 783 sq. ft
Cost of the flat: Rs. 25 lakh (to be paid in 4 instalments)
Why are there few takers for BDA flats
Some locations have been found to be far
Property buyers prefer to buy luxurious apartments
Built-up area of BDA flats is small
Ongoing projects
Gunjur, near Varthur
Gottigere on Bannerghatta Road
Kothnur, J.P. Nagar 8th Phase
Tippasandra, within Anjanapura Layout
Halagevaderahalli, near Rajarajeshwarinagar
Komaghatta, off NICE Road
Sonnenahalli, within Sir M. Vishveshwaraya Layout
Gidadakonenahalli, within Sir M. Vishveshwaraya Layout
Malagala, within Nagarbhavi Layout
Alur, off Tumkur Road
