Buying a BDA site is still a safe bet

Allottees Demanding Plots In Sought-After Up market Areas

Bangalore: From being a cash starved bungling organization to a milch-cow whan Jayakar Jerome left the place, the Bangalore Development Authority is still the middle – class bangalorean’s answer to buying and owning property. Still emerging from the controversy over Arkavathy, the onus of distributing sitesnow rests with its new chief M K Shankaralinge Gowda. Ten days into office as commissioner, Gowda says Brand BDA is a challenge. And the CRISIL rating of LAA continues.

Excerpts:

You come into the BDA at time when its image has taken a beating again. Considering that you’re coming in from a rather successful stint as IT/BT secretary, what does BDA look like?

It is a challenging time actually. If you come in when all is hunky-dory, where is the excitement? Building Brand BDA is a challenge for me. I traveled from the tourism department to IT/BT when it was still nascent, and now BDA. In one’s career; there are these necessary periods of challenge, of improving or restoring the image of a department.

How safe is it to invest in a BDA site considering that during last year’s deluge, BDA layouts like HSR were the worst affected?

Only HSR Layout had excessive flooding. We are spending nearly Rs.20 Crore on that place alone, on desilting drains. I’m trying to speed up work. That apart, we are concerned about developing the best layouts possible, so BDA is still the place to invest on a site. On a single drain near the BDA shopping complex at HSR layout, we are spending asphalting has also been stepped up. HSR layout is safe this year, there is no problem.

The Comprehensive Development Plan, or the city, got a provisional approval from the government. What happens next?

The objection raised and disposed. The government is slated to give its final approval by June – end.

The great Arkavathy imbroglio! When will site be finally distributed?

Arkavathy is well on track. I have been checking out each of these disputed areas. I have been checking out each of these disputed areas. I am personally inspectingcases where people have moved court. Arkavathy has been lingering for and it is a priority for me. I have finished three villages already. By May-end their will the authority, they will take a final decision on site allotment.

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