In a significant move aimed at breaking a years-long deadlock, the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) and the Karnataka Forest Department have agreed to undertake a crucial joint survey of contested land in Banashankari 6th Stage. This decision, expected to be executed within a fortnight, brings a ray of hope to hundreds of aggrieved site allottees stuck in a complex bureaucratic tangle.
Decisive Meeting Paves Way for Fresh Verification
The resolution for a new, collaborative survey emerged from a meeting convened by the BDA on Wednesday. This meeting was a direct response to the persistent complaints lodged by buyers and allottees of sites in this south Bengaluru layout. Officials from both departments acknowledged that previous surveys, conducted without the forest department's involvement, led to conflicting claims regarding the exact land extent and buffer zones.
A prior survey carried out by BDA with the revenue department in September 2024 had indicated that the forest department was in possession of an additional 16 acres and 31 guntas, over and above the originally notified 43 acres. However, the forest department contested these findings, creating an impasse that necessitated a fresh, joint verification process.
Drone Survey and a Two-Week Deadline
A senior BDA official outlined the plan of action, emphasizing inclusivity and clarity. "We are redoing the survey by taking all stakeholders on board to avoid confusion," the official stated. The authority has set a strict deadline of two weeks to complete this exercise.
In a bid to obtain precise and incontrovertible data, the BDA will also deploy drone technology for an aerial survey to get a clearer picture of the land in question. The official clarified the potential outcome: "If it is established that the forest department indeed holds the additional 16 acres, the buffer zone issue will be resolved automatically. Otherwise, we will examine the next course of action." The two departments are scheduled to reconvene on January 7 to review the survey findings and decide on the subsequent steps.
Years of Limbo for Over 1,500 Families
The core of this dispute impacts the lives and investments of more than 1,500 families who purchased sites in the BDA-developed layout. Formed back in 2001, the expansive layout comprises over 20,500 sites spread across 14 blocks.
The conflict primarily centres around the 3rd, 4th, and 5th blocks, where all construction activity has been forcibly halted. This stoppage followed the forest department's claim that portions of these blocks fall within a 100-metre buffer zone of the BM Kaval Agara forest land. For years, these families have been caught in uncertainty, unable to build on their plots due to the unresolved jurisdictional clash between two government departments.
The upcoming joint survey represents the most concrete step in recent years towards delivering a final verdict, potentially ending the prolonged wait for clarity and justice for the affected site owners.
