Master plan uncertainty likely to affect housing scenario

Government urged to allow conversion of farmland already bought

The uncertainty over the fate of the Mysuru Master Plan 2031, which the Chief Minister is keen to abrogate, may affect the development of new housing layouts in the city.

A decision has been taken not to allow conversion of agricultural land for non-agricultural purposes till the master plan imbroglio was resolved.

Various housing cooperative societies, which have been left in the lurch as a result of this development, have appealed to the government to permit conversion of land already purchased to facilitate allotment of sites to their members. A section of them are also planning to approach the court for relief.

However, this has no bearing on apartment constructions for which building plans are being sanctioned as per the existing Floor Area Ratio (FAR) in the city.

While the tug of war between the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) and housing cooperative societies will drag on, there is a fear that this could result in demand over-shooting supply and real estate prices rising drastically.

Ravindra Bhat, president, Builders’ Association of India, pointed out that the freeze on layout development would drive up the demand in existing areas in the months ahead.

“The current stagnation in real estate prices augurs well for end-users, but if the government delays in approving the master plan and no new layouts are approved, then it will indirectly help people in the real estate business while hurting genuine customers,” he added.

Officials said that without the Master Plan or the City Development Plan, the MUDA will not be in a position to clear new projects as the land in question could be earmarked for green belt, civic amenities or industry.

The Master Plan has been held up as it was perceived to favour people in the real estate business . Non-governmental organisations too had called for scrapping the master plan on the grounds that it was unscientific and lacked a “vision for Mysuru”.

MUDA itself has come under flak for promoting private layouts while absolving itself of its social obligations of layout formation and site distribution. NGOs estimate that more than 65,000 sites have been developed by private players in the last 10 years, against a couple of thousand sites distributed by MUDA.

The freeze on development of layouts will drive up the demand for sites:

Ravindra Bhat,president,

Builders’ Association of India