50,000 sites for Bangaloreans

The Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) may have failed to develop a single layout for a decade now, but Frthe Karnataka Housing Board (KHB) is all set to develop a new layout to offer about 50,000 sites and residential flats to Bangaloreans in the form of Sooryanagar 4th Stage.

Minister for housing Ambareesh told journalists on Thursday that the department is aiming at completing the project within three years.

“This is going to be the biggest layout in the city. It involves acquisition of 2,400 acres of land. Land acquisition process would be initiated soon and about Rs 5,000 crore will be invested for the development of the layout,” he added.

The land acquisition process will start in another 2-3 days. KHB will acquire land directly from farmers of Gangondanahalli, Indlawadi, Kadujakkanahalli and Konasandra villages which are located 28-32 km away from heart of the city.

The farmers either can sell their land or could opt for 40:60 ownership model, which means the farmers getting 40 per cent of the developed land for every acre of land acquired, he explained.  

The government has given in principle consent to the project of bringing water from Shimsha river for the layout. The estimated cost for drinking water project is Rs 450 crore and the project will supply water to Sooryanagar 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Phase Layouts. Among the 50,000 sites in 4th Phase, about 17,000 are reserved for people belonging to economically weaker sections. These would be 20x30ft sites, he added.

The approximate cost of site which will be fixed for the 4th Phase is Rs 800-900 per sq ft, Ambareesh said. He further announced that his aim is to see Karnataka as a slum-free state in next five years. The government has granted sufficient funds for achieving the goal. However, Rs 2,000 crore additional funds is being sought from the government, he maintained.

Meanwhile, KHB which is developing a satellite town in Bidadi is all set to invite applications for allotment of sites. The satellite town would come up over 400 acres of land. Likewise, applications will also be invited for Ilavala satellite town near Mysore also. Ambareesh stated that the department would take up a satellite town near Mandya and all district headquarters. Satellite towns will be formed in 400 acres of land in Devanahalli, Nelamangala, Kanakapura, he added.