For Dr K Shivaram Karanth Layout in north Bengaluru, BDA acquired land from 3,200 farmers and landowners
Chief minister DK Shivakumar , who launched the technology-based allotment process, said he initiated efforts to resolve the long-pending land compensation issue after taking charge.
Shivakumar said a court stay had also delayed the invitation of applications and disbursement of compensation. BDA said its allotment system would match eligible landowners with sites based on ownership, entitlement and survey details. Preference would be given to sites in the original survey number wherever possible, while suitable nearby sites would be considered where this wasn’t feasible, the authority said. Speaking at the event, Shivakumar said BDA had acquired a reputation for corruption in the past. People had to pay bribes for allotment of sites,” he said.
The project was delayed by years of legal and administrative proceedings, with land-acquisition matters reaching Karnataka high court and subsequently the Supreme Court. “BDA was Broker Development Authority when I entered. He urged beneficiaries not to sell their sites, saying their value would rise in the coming years.
He pointed out that Bengaluru has a population of around 1.5 crore people and 1.4 crore vehicles, while its road network has largely remained unchanged. “You’ve been waiting for 18 years to get your share of compensation after losing land. Under the agreement, BDA was to give landowners 40% of the developed land for every acre acquired. Haris said the layout had achieved a land yield of 49.4%, against the expected 55%. The state govt plans to enter into agreements with landowners, allowing the trees to be harvested after around 25 years. Shivakumar said teak currently fetches around Rs 7,500 per cubic foot, with 70% of the proceeds going to landowners and 30% to govt.
CM Shivakumar also announced plans for a statewide teak plantation programme under which crores of teak saplings would be planted on farmers’ land and along roads in front of sites.
Shivakumar said Karanth Layout was well developed but such large layouts would not be feasible in Bengaluru in the future. “Going forward, high-rises are the only option in the city,” he said. Except for areas such as Chamarajpet, Jayanagar, Malleswaram and Indiranagar, he said much of the city has developed without adequate planning. BDA chairman NA Haris said technology has made it possible to allot sites and urged landowners to deal directly with the authority. Don’t pay any middlemen,” he said.
Do not approach or entertain any brokers. BDA will coordinate and get it allotted. He added that govt would provide saplings to those who wanted to plant them along their sites.