Bengaluru, May 13 (IANS) Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and Bengaluru Development Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Wednesday announced a major relaxation in building violation norms in Bengaluru, increasing the permissible limit for deviations in height, FAR and setback rules from 5 per cent to 15 per cent.

Addressing a press conference at the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) headquarters, Shivakumar said occupancy certificates would be issued for buildings with violations up to 15 per cent after collection of penalties.

The move comes in the backdrop of Supreme Court directions barring electricity and water supply connections to buildings that do not possess occupancy certificates.

“The Cabinet will soon take a decision to address this issue. We are not legalising illegalities. Due to land scarcity and rapid urbanisation, many property owners have constructed buildings without leaving proper setbacks,” Shivakumar said.

He pointed out that existing laws already allow setback relaxations of up to 50 per cent for smaller sites measuring 20×30, 30×40 and 40×60 feet.

“We are now providing a 15 per cent relaxation within the legal framework,” he added.

The Deputy Chief Minister also criticised the earlier regularisation framework introduced under Section 38D by the previous BJP government in 2020, stating that the scheme had failed because the charges imposed on property owners were too high.

As part of the new initiative, the government will launch a One-Time Settlement (OTS) scheme from June 15, allowing property owners to apply for regularisation over a three-month period.

According to Shivakumar, the government plans to allocate 100 days for submission of applications, another 100 days for scrutiny and additional time for payment procedures. The entire process is expected to be completed by June 2027.

Applicants who apply within the first three months will receive a 50 per cent concession on regularisation charges. For example, property owners required to pay 10 per cent of the guidance value will need to pay only 5 per cent.

“If people do not utilise this opportunity, legal action will have to be initiated. BDA has already taken possession of properties worth Rs 2,000 crore,” he warned.

Shivakumar also announced that 18,000 sites would be allotted to landowners who had surrendered land for the Shivaram Karanth Layout project.

He said 3,052 landowners had contributed land for the project, but allotments had been delayed due to legal and ownership complications.

“After obtaining court approval, we are now allotting sites to landowners. The process will begin from May 15 through a software system developed by the Centre for e-Governance,” he said.

Landowners holding one acre or more will also be given the option of receiving larger consolidated plots suitable for high-rise developments.

Marking the 50th anniversary of the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA), the government will organise a “Green Bengaluru” plantation drive on June 27, coinciding with Kempegowda Jayanti, he further announced.

The Deputy Chief Minister said students, organisations, government employees and members of the public would participate in planting 15 lakh saplings across Bengaluru in a single day.

Shivakumar said nearly 80 per cent of affected landowners had already consented to the first phase of the Bengaluru Business Corridor project, while notifications had been issued for the second phase.

The proposed 33-km corridor connecting Hosur Road and Mysuru Road will be developed in south Bengaluru, he said.

He claimed the compensation package being offered to landowners was among the best in the country and included Transferable Development Rights (TDR), commercial land alongside roads and FAR benefits.

“We cannot denotify this project under any circumstances,” he said.

The Deputy Chief Minister further announced the sale of 1,900 BDA apartments constructed in Whitefield.

The 1-BHK apartments measuring 760 sq ft are priced at around Rs 66.86 lakh, while 3-BHK apartments measuring 1,733 sq ft are priced at Rs 1.44 crore. Applications for the apartments will be invited from May 15.

Shivakumar said the government was continuing efforts to reduce Bengaluru’s traffic congestion through major infrastructure projects.

A 2.2-km six-lane tunnel road near Hebbal Junction will pass close to the University of Agricultural Sciences campus. The project has reportedly been awarded to Rithwik Tunnel Company with a deadline of 18 months for completion.

Additionally, a 1.7-km four-lane elevated corridor will be built near Mekhri Circle. Foundation stone ceremonies for both projects are expected later this month.

He also announced that a 10.77-km road constructed at a cost of Rs 631 crore in Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Layout would be inaugurated within the next 15 days.

–IANS

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