Residents of Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Layout (NPKL) in Bengaluru are challenging the Bangalore Development Authority's (BDA) recent imposition of a INR 31,000 road cutting fee on site allottees. This fee is being charged despite ongoing delays in providing essential infrastructure such as drinking water, recycled water, and an underground drainage system. Site allottees, who have been waiting for over eight years, argue that the BDA has not fulfilled its initial promises. The Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Layout Open Forum has requested the Chief Minister to halt the fee collection, citing financial strain on residents. The Deputy Chief Minister confirmed that development costs should be included in site fees, raising concerns about the fairness of additional charges before infrastructure completion.
Residents of Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Layout (NPKL) in Bengaluru are expressing strong objections to the Bangalore Development Authority's (BDA) recent decision to impose a road cutting fee of INR 31,000. The fee is being levied on site allottees who are seeking approval to construct their homes, despite ongoing delays in providing essential infrastructure.
The BDA's decision comes as a surprise to many residents, who argue that the authority has yet to complete the necessary infrastructure for the layout, including drinking water, recycled water, and an underground drainage (UGD) system. Site allottees, who received their plots over eight years ago, claim that the BDA has not provided the basic amenities promised at the time of allotment.
On May 14, 2024, the Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Layout Open Forum sent a letter to the Chief Minister requesting the BDA halt the collection of the INR 31,000 fee. According to the forum's president, ME Channabasevaraj, the BDA's delay in developing the layout has placed a financial strain on residents who are already struggling with monthly EMIs and house rents. Channabasevaraj pointed out that the BDA initially included the cost of infrastructure in the site allotment fees. Now, they are asking for additional payments for the same services.
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar confirmed in the State Assembly on July 16, 2024, that the cost of the site should include all development expenses. The residents argue that requiring payment for infrastructure improvements before the facilities are even provided is unfair. They assert that it takes at least a year to complete construction, and paying for infrastructure before its availability adds to their financial burden.
Residents, including general secretary of the NKPL Open Forum, Ashok, are critical of the BDA's actions. Ashok noted that the BDA has already spent funds on utility ducts, so there is no need for additional road cutting fees. The delay and additional costs are putting further strain on site owners who have been waiting for years for basic amenities.
One resident, Avinash (name changed), shared concerns about the rising costs of construction materials, which have increased significantly. Avinash pointed out that if the BDA had completed the development work earlier, significant costs could have been avoided. The additional INR 31,000 fee now represents an extra burden for those trying to start their building projects.
As residents continue to face delays and added costs, their calls for a resolution and completion of promised infrastructure are growing louder. The situation highlights ongoing frustrations with the BDA's handling of the Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Layout and the broader issue of infrastructure development in Bengaluru's growing urban areas.
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