Karnataka High Court permits BDA to invite applications for sites in Shivarama Karanth layout
The High Court of Karnataka has granted the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) permission to invite applications from the general public for the allotment of sites
The High Court of Karnataka has granted the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) permission to invite applications from the general public for the allotment of sites in Dr. K. Shivarama Karanth layout. The court, however, clarified only the applications would be called and the allotment would depend upon further directions to be issued by it. A Division Bench comprising Justice M. Nagaprasanna and Justice Venkatesh Naik T passed the interim order recently while modifying the earlier interim order of January 2024 by which it had allowed the BDA to carry out only development works in the layout and formation of sites by restraining the authority from inviting applications for general public for the allotment of sites.
The Bench passed the modified interim order in response to the BDA’s application, filed on March 11, 2026, seeking permission to call for application for the allotment of sites citing severe financial strain caused by status quo on allotments, imposed by the court on January 28, 2024. The BDA, in its application, pointed out that inability to generate revenue through site allotments has led to a burden of hundreds of crores in interest payments on bank loans taken to fund the layout project, estimated to cost over ₹5,300 crore. Project status The BDA informed the court that a significant progress has been made, with 30,232 of a proposed 34,974 sites already formed.
The layout, spanning over 3,500 acres, has seen an approximate expenditure of ₹3,370 crore to date, with further works, including final road asphalting, expected to be completed within two months, the BDA stated in its application. It has also been pointed out in the application that the BDA has to develop and complete the layout with its resources and by generating its own funds and about ₹1,960 core more has to be incurred to complete the remaining works. The BDA has informed the High Court that completing site allotments under the BDA (Allotment of Sites) Rules, 1984 would take nearly a year. As per procedure, two-month period has to be provided to public to submit applications with a 12.5% initial deposit, followed by additional time for successful allottees to pay the remaining amount.
Back in 2008 First preliminary notification for acquiring the lands was issued way back in 2008, and the final notification was issued in 2018 after the Supreme Court upheld the preliminary notification. The apex court, which monitored problems arisen in acquisition by appointing a committee, had finally transferred the case to the High Court in December 23, 2023 to adjudicate litigations over land acquisition based on committee’s reports and also the challenges to the report on individual lands, etc.
The BriefWire