BENGALURU: The Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) is poised to provide significant relief to over 250 site owners in Banashankari 6th Phase embroiled in the Turahalli forest buffer zone dispute in southern Bengaluru. The BDA has requested the forest department to facilitate a one-time settlement to resolve the deadlock concerning its legally allotted sites.
Essentially, these site owners will regain full possession, granting them the freedom to either build their homes or secure their sites. These sites have been in limbo since they were classified as part of the buffer zone for the Turahalli forests, preventing construction despite holding all valid documentation.
Out of these, 274 sites are located within the buffer zone, while 55 are inside the forest boundary. While a resolution for the 274 sites is anticipated soon, the 55 sites within the forest boundary pose a greater challenge, as indicated by a BDA official.
In a letter dated June 23, the BDA informed the principal secretary of the forest department about the sites along the boundary of the Turahalli reserve forest, spanning Blocks 1 to 11 across Turahalli, Hemmigepura, Lingadheeranahalli, Sompura, and BM Kaval villages. These layouts were created after the BDA acquired 1,598 acres through notifications issued on November 15, 2000, and August 21, 2001.
Several sites adjacent to the forest were later included in the notified buffer zone, leading the forest department to halt the issuance of construction permissions.
In response to this stalemate, the BDA conducted a joint survey in September 2025 with the forest and revenue departments. A report by the assistant director of land records was submitted in November 2025, followed by a drone survey in January 2026.
What initially affected over 1,400 sites was eventually narrowed down to just 329. Based on these findings, the BDA prepared a revised layout map and submitted it along with supporting documents to the deputy conservator of forests.
During discussions in May 2026, BDA officials, including the commissioner, conferred with representatives from the forest department. They tentatively agreed to seek a resolution for the 274 buffer zone sites through mutual cooperation. Proposed was a land exchange involving BDA land already under the forest department’s control, along with an additional 20 acres and 18 guntas in Turahalli village. This would provide an equivalent buffer area to the forest department while offering permanent relief to affected plot owners.
This issue was addressed in two meetings led by the then forest minister on May 12 and 20. The minister acknowledged the difficulties faced by families unable to build on properties they legally purchased and called for a swift resolution. The BDA has requested a one-time settlement to permanently alleviate the uncertainty faced by plot owners who have waited since 2001.
