Hike in BDA Sites Price come as a Blow to Middle Class Bangaloreans
BDA’s announcement on compensation has brought cheer among lakhs of farmers, the site-desiring middle-class Bangaloreans are a worried lot – as that dream BDA site may now be out of reach. The proposed record hike in the price of BDA sites is bound to come as a blow to the middle-class Bangalorean. Behind this dramatic jump is BDA’s reasoning that it has to offset the hike in offering compensation to farmers. The move will only impose an additional burden on the citizen for whom owning a site is a long-cherished dream. The government must step in and provide sites at reasonable rates to citizens, maybe by reclaiming encroached lands.
BDA’s changing policies have hit Arkavathy Layout too where many may not get sites as promised. No more BDA sites at throwaway prices. If a 30X40 feet site used to cost Rs 2 lakh, it may soon cost Rs 25 lakh, while a 60X40 site will cost a minimum Rs 30 lakh, say official sources at BDA. The prices include cost of land as well as facilities provided in and around the site and the layout.
This plan for a dramatic increase in the rates is due to the compensation effect. This may be applicable to BDA sites across the city to make up for the heavy compensation that is now being paid to farmers as has happened in the case of Kempegowda Layout coming up on Mysore-Magadi Road in South Bangalore. The compensation amount to farmers is now Rs 1 crore. However, applications for sites have not yet been called for.
S Ramanathan, aged 70, from Chikkalasandra, has been waiting for his site in Arkavathy Layout since 2005, but he might not get it, thanks to BDA. “I am one of the desperate Bangaloreans waiting for the site. I was one among the 20,000 site allottees. But recently BDA has said that only 14,000 sites will be allotted in Arkavathy. When I contacted BDA, I was told I was not one among the 14,000 site allottees. This means, I won’t get a site. It is in violation of the Supreme Court order and I will fight for it,” he said.
He was told by BDA to apply afresh for the other proposed layouts. “I had deposited Rs 30,000 to BDA for my 30X40 feet site situated in Arkavathy Layout, and I would have got the site for Rs 2 lakh. But I might have to shell out wanting to have properties might have to spend more,” said D S Chikkanna, president, Raitha Horata Samithi, who has given away his land, situated in Kempegowda Layout, for acquisition to the BDA.
Times of India
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