BENGALURU: Like many home buyers, Saju V N, a software engineer, was eagerly looking forward to RERA. He has been awaiting possession of his apartment for years. Many home buyers were hoping that RERA will finally come to their rescue and that builders can no longer delay completing the projects and handing them over.However, the exemption for projects that are 60 percent complete has raised serious doubts among buyers.
Saju purchased an apartment in February 2012 in Varthur. “The builders were supposed to complete the construction in 2013. A few buyers were assured the project will be over by 2014. In the first three years, they completed 50 per cent of the project. After 2014, the builder went slow on the work. They said that they have run out of funds. As RERA started taking shape, the builder suddenly started his work. Now he might show that the construction falls under the 60 percent exemption and escape the Act and we will bear the burnt,” he said.
Similarly, Bala T, an engineer who purchased an apartment on Hosur Road, said that construction work in his apartment complex is not finished. However, possession of two of the total five blocks has been given after strong protests by buyers. “The buyers have still not received the occupancy certificate. I purchased the apartment in 2016 when they were supposed to have completed the work. After our repeated pleas, the builder gave possession of two blocks this year. The buyers of the other blocks are still running pillar to post,” he said.
It is not just the private builders the buyers are concerned about. Anil Navali, a site allotted at BDA’s Nadhaprabhu Kempe Gowda Layout, said, “Some 5,000 people have been allotted BDA sites. Without completing the project, BDA pushed us to register the sites under a 10-year lease deed. We were forced to make full payment even after giving several representations and protests.
“Kempe Gowda Layout does not have any amenities. Connecting roads to all blocks have not been provided and the 12km-long and 330ft wide arterial road is not included in the package. Without the completion certificate and occupancy certificate and by merely executing lease deeds, BDA cannot say the project is 60 percent complete,” he asserted.
He added that BDA must announce a deadline and clarify if the connecting 100m wide arterial road between Mysuru Road and Magadi Road is part of the layout. It must also pay interest for its failure to meet the deadline.
