BENGALURU: While the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) has expedited work on the Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Layout (NPKL) between Mysuru Road and Magadi Road, residents in III and IV Blocks have raised urgent concerns regarding “critical bottlenecks” that might hinder habitation if not resolved promptly.
Allottees appreciate the enhanced pace of land acquisition and development under the current administration; however, they assert that the layout is still not suitable for living. Although several houses are built and more are under construction, foundational issues like inadequate infrastructure and unclear design are becoming significant obstacles.
One major issue is the absence of footpaths throughout the layout. Residents have warned that the lack of walkable paths will exacerbate traffic and pollution problems. In a representation made during a review meeting on December 24, they urged the BDA to revisit the layout’s design and consult mobility experts to avoid repeating past mistakes observed in other areas of the city. Notably, a crucial 60ft road linking III Block A Sector to the 300ft major road remains unfinished. Additionally, another road near a stormwater drain is reportedly encroached, obstructing the transport of construction materials. Residents also expressed concerns regarding errors in boundary demarcation, claiming that misaligned markings have caused structures to extend into neighboring plots, which could result in future legal disputes.
The lack of essential services such as electricity, water, and sanitation has deterred early settlement, while increasing theft of electrical and construction materials underscores the need for streetlights and temporary police presence.
Madhu Sudhan V, an executive committee member for allottees at NPKL III Block, stated: “The BDA is supposed to develop residential layouts with basic infrastructure, but they have fallen short on fundamental aspects due to poor planning. There are no adequate footpaths, and utility ducts are often mistaken for walkways – this is unacceptable. If these ducts need maintenance, pedestrians will have no safe path. The planned greenery is also impractical, and concerns raised at meetings have only been partially addressed. We plan to assess the layout with mobility experts, as the absence of footpaths forces residents to rely on vehicles for even short journeys, exacerbating traffic and pollution.”
Yathish Chandra, a tech professional with a plot in IV Block, commented: “A significant concern is the delays in land acquisition, which have stalled engineering works, hindering contractors’ ability to operate effectively. Additionally, transformers placed too close to homes are a safety issue. Compared to other BDA layouts with better-planned footpaths, landscaping, and streetlights, NPKL falls short. Since it is still under development, the design should be revised now; otherwise, residents may have to live with these flaws indefinitely.”
BDA’s Commitment to Address Issues:
NA Haris, BDA chairman, remarked, “Progress at NPKL is quite good, with around 78% of the work completed; we anticipate finishing the remaining 22% in the next 5-6 months. There are some minor technical issues, like sanitary pipeline work, but overall, development is moving ahead smoothly without major concerns. We will also address the other issues raised by residents.”
