BENGALURU:THE Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) on Thursday has finally come out with a concrete solution for the 3,720 allottees who lost their sites in Arkavathy Layout due to a series of denotification moves by the government from 2008 to 2014.
The solution: those who lost their sites will be given an alternative site of similar dimension in Kempe Gowda Layout at no extra cost. Or else the full amount paid for the sites at the time of purchase along with interest accumulated over the years will be returned to them.
Allottees are now divided over the issue of accepting these choices.
This decision was taken at a Board meeting held at its premises here on Thursday.
“We have already discussed the issue with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and feel these are the best options we can offer to the allottees who have lost their sites,” BDA chairman K Venkatesh told reporters.
BDA would lose anywhere between `500 and `600 crore due to this decision, he said.
“BDA will hand over the sites in K G Layout only after developing them fully,” the Chairman assured. Basic infrastructure like roads, electricity, water supply and drainage facilities will be created before handing over, the sites,” Venkatesh added.
“This is the only option BDA has since we do not have sites in Arkavathy Layout. We will ensure the alternative sites are not stuck in litigations,” Venkatesh stressed.
The 50 acres presently identified in the Arkavathy Layout will be handed over to farmers who had lost their lands for formation of the layout, he added.
Decision on Feb 22
Allottees continue to remain divided over whether to accept alternative sites at all. M Nagaraj, president of the Arkavathy Layout (BDA) Site Allottees Association, said, “Most of us are averse to accepting an alternative site at Kempe Gowda whether it is developed or not. A final decision will be taken after we hold a meeting on February 22 to decide our next plan of action.”
However, allottees who accept the BDA offer are free to go ahead and contact the BDA in this connection, he added.
Chandrashekhar, another representative of the Association, said, “If the alternative sites provided at K G Layout are developed ones, then it is acceptable.”
The association, actively fighting on behalf of the allottees, had earlier announced a massive dharna from February 17 if a solution was not found to the issue.
Bhaskar Reddy, who represents another group of allottees had told Express during a previous interaction that the allottees would not accept alternative sites in K G Layout.