Bangalore Development Authority Explained

Agency Name:	Bangalore Development Authority
Type:	Planning Authority
Picture Caption:	A shopping complex built by the BDA on the Inner Ring Road, Koramangala
Superseding:	City Improvement Trust Board
Jurisdiction:	Government of Karnataka
Headquarters:	Bangalore
Employees:	486^[1]
Budget:	Rs. 5067.65 crore (2012)
Minister3 Name:	D. K. Shivakumar (DCM)
Chief1 Name:	M.B. Rajesh Gowda
Chief1 Position:	Commissioner

The Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) of Bangalore, India, is a governmental organization (referred to within India as a parastatal entity) and the principal planning authority for Bangalore. Its function, under the Karnataka Town and Country Planning Act of 1961, is as a regulatory body required "to prepare in the prescribed manner a Comprehensive Development Plan" for the Bangalore Metropolitan Region.^[2] It also oversees planning and development of infrastructure, provision of development-related sites and services, the housing needs of underprivileged citizens in Bangalore and is currently the city's largest land developer.^[3] No other authority or person may undertake development within the Bangalore Metropolitan Region without the permission of the BDA.^[4]

Background

BDA was created on 6 January 1976 under the Bangalore Development Authority Act 1976^[5] superseding the earlier civic authority known as the City Improvement Trust Board (CITB), but remaining nearly identical in function.^[6] The First erstwhile Chairman of BDA was Shri B.T.Somanna. The BDA is a largely unelected local authority (2 out of 23 members are elected BBMP corporators) with most of its members accountable to, and directly appointed by the state government. This creates issues with local representation, particularly since the passage of the Constitution (74th) Amendment Act, 1992 mandating the devolution of planning powers to local, elected authorities.

Despite being the principle planning authority, up to 90% of new residential layouts on the Bangalore periphery do not have formal approval from the BDA.^[7] Over time, these layouts tend to be regularised by successive state governments, however they exhibit all of the issues associated with ad hoc residential development including irregular road layouts, boundary encroachments and lack of provision for essential services and infrastructure.

Corruption has always been an issue within the BDA, with one particularly notorious scandal being the illegal sale of up to 200 sites in 1995 by corrupt BDA officials.^[8] In the 1990s the BDA came under sustained criticism including the Public Affairs Center's 1993 report cards on BDA performance;^[9] the CUMB Report of 1997 which examined the role and function of the BDA and concluded that the organization had outlived its mandate, was failing as a development authority and should be disbanded;^[10] and a 1999 report^[11] by the World Bank which labelled it one of the most corrupt and inefficient institutions in the city.^[12] The same report also reported on the findings of a citizen survey which found 65% of Bengalureans dissatisfied with their experience dealing with the BDA, and just 1% satisfied—the lowest of any civic agency in the city. It was also receiving the highest share of bribes (33%) in exchange for expediting service outcomes.

The BDA is credited with responding to these findings with some reforms in operational management and asset monitoring and accounting practices leading to a substantial increase in residential layout development and allocation.^[13]

In 2008 the Kasturirangan Report reaffirmed that as both developer and land regulator, the BDA has neglected its regulatory role, but gained some additional credibility through the successful delivery of major infrastructure projects including the Outer Ring Road, and various flyovers and underpasses throughout the city. The report recommended land regulation responsibilities be handed over to other municipal bodies such as the BBMP with the BDA focusing on its function as a development body.

Achievements

• The superstructure of the Hebbal Flyover has won an award in the 9th Outstanding Bridge National Awards competition by the Indian Institute of Bridge, Engineers^[14]
• Restoration of Lake Agaram
• Restoration of Benniganahalli Lake
• Restoration of Lalbagh lake
• Outer Ring Road

Criticism

• The encroachment and development upon water bodies and tanks essential for the city's drainage system.^{[15] [16]}
• Failure to provide basic amenities (power, water, sewerage, drainage) to residential layouts whilst embarking on still further projects.^{[17] [18]}
• Failure to provide for the rehabilitation of villagers displaced by new layout projects.^[19]
• Failure to deliver on planned projects and promised infrastructure.^{[20] [21]}
• Despite the 73rd and 74th amendments to the Indian Constitution devolving power to Panchayats and local urban bodies, the BDA is not similarly responsive through an electoral process to local constituencies.^[2]
• The influence of money and vested interests, the so-called "land mafia",^[22] in the violation of regulations and land use controls and the development of prime real estate locations.^{[2] [23]}
• Service outcomes decreasing over time despite significant growth in revenues (accounting for population and inflation).^[24]
• HC calls BDA the mother of corruption.^[25]
• Looks like it is not only BDA allotted sites that get into legal trouble, even auction sites which fetch the BDA crores of rupees that get entangled, in this case for 14 years.^[26]
• A series of denotifications hit the BDA arkavathy layout according to this source. This happened after BDA allotted the land to people who paid full amount for the site purchase from their hard earned savings and received lease cum sale agreements from BDA. So their money was with BDA but site GONE.^[27]
• People who dare to build a house in a BDA developed layout, might have to stay with no power, water or drainage, not for years but decades as this one talks about facilities in Arkavathy layout and the facilities it offers.^{[28] [29]}
• Do you think BDA apartments are a safer bet, think again, a land owner allegedly cordoned off 300 BDA flat owners from an approach road^[30]
• BDA apartments and its amazing quality - read here ^{[31] [32]}
• Yes, according to BDA, they refund people who withdraw their flat application but how easy is it to really get your money back is anyone's guess^[33]
• Hebbal flyover, designed and built by BDA is now bursting at the seams with unmanageable traffic according to this report.^[34] Does this showcase BDA's long term planning capabilities?

Layouts developed by BDA

• Jayanagar
• Koramangala
• JP Nagar
• Anjanapura
• Kumaraswamy Layout
• Banashankari
• Indiranagar
• HAL 2nd and 3rd Stages
• Domlur
• Kasturi Nagar
• Sadashivanagar
• RMV Extension
• HBR Layout
• HRBR Layout
• HSR Layout
• BTM Layout
• RT Nagar
• Vishweshwaraiah Layout
• Arkavathy Layout
• Nagarabhavi
• Avalahalli (Girinagar)
• Banashankari 5th stage
• Banashankari 6th stage
• West of Chord Road Layout (Basaveshwaranagar)
• Nadaprabhu Kempe Gowda Layout
• Aecs layout A,B and C blocks, Kundanahalli gate

Names of some layouts with the original names of villages/ areas (after the hyphen (‘-‘))

• East Division
  • H. A. L. II Stage (Part) – Dokkanahalli (Part)
• Koramangala VI Block – Ijipura
• Austin Town I, II & III Stages – Austin Town
• Domlur Layout – Domlur
• Koramangala IV Block – Koramangala
• H. S. R. Layout - Agara, Yelikunte, Haralakunte & others
• H. S. R. Layout III Sector – Haralakunte & Yelikunte
• S. T. Bed – Shinivagilu
• Sampigehalli I Stage - Sampige halli
• Koramangala - Koramangala, Mastri Palya & Katli Palya
• Layout between Appareddy Palya & Dokkanahally H. A. L II Stage – Dokkanahally
• Domlur II Stage – Domlur
• H. A. L. II Stage – Kodihalli
• Layout between Appareddy Palya and Dookanahally – Dookanahalli
• Domlur I Stage – Domlur
• H. A. L. III Stage Jeevan Bima Nagar Main Road
• Akkithimmanahally
• Layout for slum dwellers – Akkithimmanahalli
• H. A. L. II Stage (part) – Kodihalli
• H. A. L. II Stage near Airport Road
• H. A. L. II Stage (for slum dwellers) – Dokkanahalli
• Binnamangala
• Layout plan in Sonnenahalli – Sonnenahalli
• Koramangala VIII Block – Koramangala
• Sonnenahalli further extn.
• H. A. L. III Stage - Konena Agrahara
• H. A. L. III Stage – Thippasandra
• H. A. L. III Stage (Thippasandra Main Road)
• Koramangala – Koramangala
• Slum Dwellers IV Block, Koramangala – Koramangala
• Lakkasandra – Lakkasandra
• Ananda Pura Slum H. A. L. III Stage - Konena Agrahara
• H. S. R. Layout (Part) - Roopena Agrahara
• Koramangala 4th 'B' Block – Mastripalya
• H. A. L. III Stage (J. B. Nagar)
• Domlur Housing Scheme Phase II, III & IV
  • NORTH DIVISION
  • Jayamahal
• R. M. V. II stage – Lottegollahalli, Yeshwanthapura hobli
• R. M. V. II stage – Bhoopasandra, Kasaba hobli
• R. M. V. II stage – Geddalahalli
• Palace Upper Orchard
• Further extn. of Matadahalli – Matadahalli
• Hebbal-Gangenahalli – Gangenahalli
• R. M. V. II stage – Geddalahalli
• Matadahalli – Gangenahalli
• R. M. V. II stage – Gangenahalli
• R. M. V. II stage for H. I. G. scheme – Nagashettihalli
• Vasantha Nagar
• H. R. B. R. III stage – Nagavara
• Palace Lower Orchard – Vyalikaval
• R. M. V. II stage – Lottegollahalli
• H. B. R. II stage (E. W. S. Layout) – Nagavara
• H. R. B. R. – Challakere
• Pillanna Garden III stage
• Pillanna Garden III stage (additional sites) – Kadugondarahalli
• Slum dwellers Layout - G. Baiyyappanahalli
• R. M. V. II stage (site for land owners) – Nagashettihalli
• K. P. West (B. K. Subbaiah) – Mallenahalli
• R. M. V. Dollar Scheme - Poorna Pura Mathikere
• R. M. V. II stage (HIG additional sites) - Nagashetti halli
• R. M. V. II stage - Nagashetti halli
• R. M. V. II stage SFHS-HIG - Chickkamarana halli & Nagashetti halli
• H. R. B. R. Block 'A' – Lingarajapura
• H. R. B. R. III Block – Lingarajapura
• R. M. V. II stage - Nagashetti halli
• Jabbar block (hutting area)
• East of NGEF (part) – Banaswadi, K R Pura hobli
• O. M. B. R. (Part) – Banasawadi
• R. M. V. II stage – Geddalahalli
• K. P. West – Mallenahalli
• Gayathri Devi Park extn. - Behind Sankey Tank
• Vyalikaval Layout – Vyalikaval
• R. M. V. II stage – Geddalahalli
• H. R. B. R. I Block - Banaswadi Tank Bed
• R. M. V. II stage I Block – Geddalahalli
• R. M. V. II stage II Block – Geddalahalli
• R. M. V. Extn.
• R. M. V. II stage (Sites for Legislators) – Lottegollahalli
• Comprehensive Layout Plan of Matadahalli – Metadahalli
• O. M. B. R. Layout – Banaswadi
• H. R. B. R. I, II & III Block – Banaswadi
• H. B. R. I stage - Between Hennur Road and Nagavara
• H. R. B. R. II stage (further extn.) – Banaswadi
• East of NGEF – Banaswadi, K. R. Pura Hobli
• Additional sites in Lingarajapura – Lingarajapura
• R. M. V. II stage – Nagashettihalli
• East of NGEF (part) – Benniganahalli
• Further extn. of east of NGEF – Banaswadi
• Arkavathi Layout
  • WEST DIVISION
  • R. P. C. Layout – Sy. Nos. of Kempapura Agrahara
• Modified layout for industrial workers, Industrial Suburb, North Zone, Rajaji Nagar
• Layout plan of Industrial Suburban North Zone, Bangalore
• Nagarabhavi I stage – Malagala
• E. W. S. Layout Nandhini scheme, shifting of Chamundi Nagar slum – Laggere
• M. R. C. R. Layout industrial sites near Tollgate
• J. B. Kawal – J. B. Kawal
• Okali Puram Layout II stage
• Dhobighat under Ashraya Scheme – Laggere
• Industrial Town Rajaji Nagar
• Nagarabhavi I stage – Nagarabhavi
• Chamundi Nagar Welfare Association
• West of Chord Road 4th stage 4th block - Agrahara Dasara halli
• Small Scale Industry Rajaji Nagar
• Ambedkar Seva Sangha – Laggere
• Nagarabhavi I stage – Gangondanahalli
• Nandhini Layout – J. B. Kawal
• Mariyappanapalya slum - Kethamarana halli
• IV 'M' Block Rajaji Nagar
• Nagarabhavi II stage X Block, C. A. No. 6
• Nandhini Layout – Laggere
• Ambedkar Layout – K. P. Agrahara
• Rajaji Nagar I to IV Block
• Mahalakshmi Layout further extn.
• Chandra Layout I Phase I Stage
• Slum Dwellers at Kirloskar Foundry; further extn. of Mahalakshmi Layout
• Mahalakshmi Layout – Kethamaranahalli
• Industrial Sub-urban II Stage – J. B. Kawal
• Nagarbhavi I stage (for slum dwellers) – Malagala
• Rajaji Nagar V Block
• Nagarabhavi I Stage – Nagarbhavi
• Chandra Layout I & II Phase – K. P. Agrahara
• M. R. C. R. Layout – A. D. Halli
• Vijayananda Nagar slum
• Krishnananda Nagar slum Industrial suburb II stage
• Chandra Layout - Divatige Ramanahalli
• Nandini S. F. H. S.
• Nagarabhavi II Stage XIV Block – Nagarabhavi
• Rajaji Nagar II Stage Milk Colony
• Nagarabhavi I Stage – Nagarabhavi
• Laggere village E. W. S. – Laggere
• Nandini Layout Dollar Layout
• Shivanahalli Slum W. C. R. III Stage – Shivanahalli
• Dhobi Ghat W. C. R. (ISKCON)
• Modified Layout Plan of Sy. no. 1 of J. B. Kawal – J. B. Kawal
• Rajaji Nagar IV N Block
• W. C. R. 4th stage 4th block - Agrahara Dasara halli
• Chandra Layout - Divatige Ramanahalli
• Chandra Layout – K. P. Agrahara
• Lorry Stand & Godown sites, Industrial Suburb
• W. C. R. II stage
• Kengeri Satellite Town
• W. C. R. II stage II phase – Kethamaranahalli
• Nagarabhavi II stage
• W. C. R. III stage
• Nagarabhavi II stage
• Nandini Layout
• M. R. C. R. Layout
• Industrial Suburb II stage
• Gnana Bharathi Layout Valagerehalli
• Gnana Bharathi Layout Nagadevanahalli – Nagarabhavi
• Narasimha Layout – J. B. Kawal
• Nagarabhavi II stage – Nagarabhavi
• Nagarabhavi II stage VII & VIII Block – Malagala
• Shop sites at Nandini Layout – J. B. Kawal
• Bhovi Colony slum W. C. R. III Stage II Block
• Asokarapura Hutting Colony - Yashwanthpura

Comprehensive Development Plans

• 1984 1st Development Plan for 1985: Aimed at decongesting the central city area and encourage development around the city periphery.
• 1995 2nd Development Plan ^[35]
• Revised Master Plan 2007
• Master Plan 2015^[36] approved in 2005.
• Revised Master Plan 2031^[37]

See also

• Bangalore Metropolitan Region Development Authority
• Bangalore Metropolitan Planning Committee
• Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation

Notes and References

1. Web site: Organization. Bengaluru Development Authority.
2. Book: Stallmeyer, John. Building Bangalore: Architecture and urban transformation in India's Silicon Valley. 2010. Taylor & Francis. 9780203842195.
3. News: Bangalore an IT city? Check with Bangalore Development Authority. DNA. 15 February 2013.
4. Book: Lall, Somik V. Urban Land Markets: Improving Land Management for Successful Urbanization. 2009. Springer. 9781402088629. 316.
5. News: Assembly re-adopts Bill on BDA Act . https://web.archive.org/web/20110615054417/http://www.hindu.com/2006/07/19/stories/2006071907880400.htm . dead . 15 June 2011 . Chennai, India . . 19 July 2006.
6. Book: Stallmeyer, John. Building Bangalore: Architecture and urban transformation in India's Silicon Valley. Routledge. 2010. 978-1136903977. Electronics City.
7. Book: Anjaria, Jonathan. Urban Navigations: Politics, Space and the City in South Asia. Routledge. 2013. 978-1136197420. New Delhi. 168.
8. News: 8 May 1995. The Times of India.
9. Book: Paul, Samuel. Benchmarking Urban Services: The Second Report Card from Bangalore. Public Affairs Centre. 2000.
10. Book: Report of the Expert Committee on Governance in the Bangalore Metropolitan Region and Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike. March 2008. Government of Karnataka. Bangalore.
11. Making Voice Work: The Report Card on Bangalore's Public Services. Paul. Samuel. Policy Research Working Papers. November 1999. World Bank. 10.1596/1813-9450-1921. 166363089.
12. News: The Godfather of Bangalore. Carney. Scott. 20 October 2008. Wired.
13. Book: Rajak, Robin. Urban Land Markets: Improving Land Management for Successful Urbanization. Springer Science & Business Media. 2009. 978-1402088629. Lall. Somik. 320. Does Public Ownership and Management of Land Matter for Land Market Outcomes?.
14. Web site: Archived copy . 29 May 2013 . 7 December 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131207225247/http://www.theretailtimes.co.in/April-e-paper.pdf . dead .
15. Book: Srinivas, Smriti. Landscapes Of Urban Memory. 2004. Orient Blackswan. 9788125022541. Models of the Garden City.
16. Web site: More BDA layouts on lake beds. 5 May 2015.
17. News: 'Bangalore Development Authority needs major surgery'. DNA. 7 July 2012.
18. News: D'Souza. Odeal. Bangalore Development Authority acting like real estate agency: Karnataka high court. DNA. 1 February 2011.
19. News: D'Souza. Odeal. Bangalore Development Authority gets another sound rap from Karnataka high court. DNA. 16 February 2011.
20. News: Raghunandan. P. BDA's budget soars, progress dwindles. Deccan Herald. 25 April 2012.
21. News: Chaturvedi. Atul. Like BBMP, BDA too is a pauper. https://web.archive.org/web/20130211015459/http://www.bangaloremirror.com/article/10/2013020820130208072148813342e5ead/Like-BBMP-BDA-too-is-a-pauper.html. dead. 11 February 2013. Bangalore Mirror. 8 February 2013.
22. News: Carney. Scott. The Godfather of Bangalore. Wired. 20 October 2008.
23. News: BDA under heavy fire for its shady deals. DNA. 28 July 2012.
24. Book: Sridhar, Kala Seetharam. State of Urban Services in India's Cities: Spending and Financing. 2010. Public Affairs Centre. 9780198065388.
25. Web site: HC calls BDA mother of corruption'. 27 November 2012.
26. Web site: After 14 years of court battle, Infosys employee is yet to get his BDA site | Bengaluru News - Times of India. The Times of India.
27. News: Another 285 acres denotified by BDA in Arkavathy Layout. The Hindu. 23 March 2013.
28. Web site: 12 years on, Arkavathy Layout to get power supply.
29. Web site: Cancel sites? First give basic amenities: Arkavathy Allottees' Association. 18 April 2016.
30. Web site: Bengaluru Development Authority flats no safe bet!. 28 June 2014.
31. Web site: BDA flooded with complaints from unhappy flat owners. 17 August 2016.
32. Web site: Dreams fall flat: 10% of BDA allottees seek refund | Bengaluru News - Times of India. The Times of India.
33. Web site: Flat allottees seek refund of deposit from BDA. 18 December 2013.
34. Web site: Hebbal Flyover built in 2003 seems to have outlived its purpose.
35. Web site: Archived copy . 19 March 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130514160408/http://www.bdabangalore.org/developmentplan.html . 14 May 2013 . dead .
36. Web site: Archived copy . 19 March 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130514154327/http://www.bdabangalore.org/Masterplan2015.html . 14 May 2013 . dead .
37. Web site: Town Planning . 19 March 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130514151703/http://www.bdabangalore.org/townplanning.html#TPM-RMP . 14 May 2013 . dead .