TDR in Bangalore morphed into Land Loot
Everybody involved in the TDR (transferable development rights) tangle seems to have forgotten a simple truth. The TDR was a scheme meant to preserve open spaces and heritage buildings in the heart of a city, moving development to outskirts. But in Bangalore, it has morphed into taking chunks of land away from home owners.
BBMP, last week, said it would compensate property owners on Magadi Road by buying TDRs from them. But how feasible is it? BBMP is facing a financial crunch and is hardly in a position to buy TDRs.What also irks people is that the entire state machinery is galvanised to make people part with their homes without looking at other options. Also, what sticks in their throats is that road widening is unlikely to touch the homes of the rich and the connected, or the posher areas.
The fact is, BBMP cannot forcibly take away private properties through TDR. In the list of recommendations submitted by the core committee for TDR makes it clear “TDR is optional and this must be made very clear to the people during acquisition with an `OPTIONAL’ added in sizeable font atop all TDR applications.”
BBMP cannot forcibly take away private properties through TDR but BBMP can forcibly acquire a property by paying the current market rate under the Karnataka Land Acquisition Act. But it is very expensive and time-consuming.While BBMP is encouraging TDR purchase-reselling, it’s hoping to generate about Rs 5,000 crore through Akrama-Sakrama.
Cash-strapped BBMP is unable to generate funds for its own works. Hence the question of compensating over 33,000 property owners is remote. As BBMP has no money to compensate people for property thus acquired, they would be given TDR. TDR can be used to go ‘vertical’, that is add extra floors or sell it those who want to buy it. BBMP officials admit it would cost a whopping Rs 10,000 crore at current market prices to do so. Besides, the government had formed a committee to come up with recommendations for TDR.
According to Experts, the only solution is to make TDR citizenfriendly. With regard to set back violations and parking facilities, there must be relaxation for TDR buyers. Restrictions on selling TDRs in A, B and C zones should go though there’s price variation across zones.TDR must be loaded on building structures, which at present has not been easy for builders as FAR is the limiting factor.
Times of India (Dtd:Dec-08,2010)
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