BDA should take back empty sites from owners who don’t build houses, says N.A. Haris

“I have been pushing for the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) to take back the sites it has allotted if the allottee doesn’t build a house within four years of allotment. Our rules do allow for this. We are holding discussions with the government on this,” said BDA Chairman N.A. Haris, speaking at ‘#THTalksBengaluru’ on Thursday, October 8.

He said the BDA was carrying out a land audit of its layouts to check how many allottees have built houses and how many have not. Once the report is ready, the proposal would be taken forward, he said.

Mr. Haris was responding to concerns flagged by several readers over the gaps and delays in providing infrastructure in BDA layouts. “Allottees have been demanding infrastructure but do not build homes on their sites. There are water, drainage and electricity facilities ready. Let them build their houses, and we will provide all the necessary infrastructure. In Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Layout, we have almost finished all the work now, but how many are building houses?” he questioned, adding that the BDA was committed to completing any pending work in the layout and providing all the necessary infrastructure on a war footing in 10 days, if the allottees promise to build a house. 

When questioned on why BDA was resisting coming under the purview of the Karnataka Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA-K), Mr. Haris said the BDA had no issue with being under the purview of RERA-K, but added that it was not necessary. “RERA was brought to protect homebuyers from private developers who take the money, divert it and do not deliver. But in our case, we are the government and will not run away,” he said.