BDA site allottees criticise DKS’s proposal to take back plots not developed within 5 years

The proposal by Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar to take back sites allotted by government authorities if no construction is undertaken within five years of allotment has drawn criticism from site owners who say the move is not “rational”.

Mr. Shivakumar announced the proposal on Saturday after inaugurating the debris clearance drive, citing vacant plots accumulating mounds of debris due to poor maintenance.

A site owner in Arkavathy Layout, who requested anonymity, pointed out that taking back sites would not solve the problem because the root cause of debris accumulation is different. He said many sites remain vacant for valid reasons.

“Debris is accumulating in vacant sites because, until recently, there was no fixed system for its disposal, and even now the process remains largely unclear. This is a governance issue, not the citizens. Even if they take back the sites, will the problem be solved?” he questioned.

“This is not a long-term solution because even after taking back the sites, there is no one to ensure their maintenance. Even for the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA), it is practically impossible with the existing manpower,” he added.

Allottees also pointed out that even owners are not happy about leaving their sites vacant, but it is an impasse for which the government agency itself is responsible.

H.K. Gowdaiah, a resident of Sir M. Visvesvaraiah Layout, said the BDA should take responsibility for vacant plots because many sites remain vacant due to litigation and its failure to provide basic amenities.

“Even today, many layouts do not have proper roads and struggle during the rains. In addition, older layouts are plagued by encroachments. Who would want to build their homes under such conditions?” he questioned.

However, the proposal to take back sites has been under consideration for several months, as the BDA had planned the scheme as early as December 2025. The BDA’s sale agreement already contains a clause allowing the authority to impose a penalty if construction is not undertaken within five years of allotment, which can be amended.

According to the BDA officials, the authority has been exploring legal options to take back sites that remain vacant, but it has yet to make the necessary amendments to implement the proposal. While allottees do not oppose the idea in principle, they say any such provision should be implemented rationally.

Suryakiran A.S. of the Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Layout Open Forum said the five-year construction clause would be valid only after the BDA ensures basic amenities.

“In many BDA layouts, it took a decade to provide basic amenities. The five-year construction clause should come into effect only after the Real Estate Regulatory Authority issues a completion certificate confirming that all amenities have been provided,” he said.