Bengaluru: Residents of Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Layout, a large residential development near Challaghatta on Mysore Road, are expressing growing frustration as the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) continues to miss deadlines for essential infrastructure development. Despite BDA’s repeated assurances, basic services like water, electricity, and road connectivity remain unavailable in most blocks of the layout, leaving plot owners unable to build homes.
The layout, which was initially allotted by the BDA in 2016 and 2018, spans across nine blocks with approximately 29,000 plots. However, only a handful of families—around 30—have managed to complete construction due to the lack of basic amenities. The delays in providing these crucial services have resulted in ongoing complaints from residents, who have expressed their dissatisfaction through the “Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Layout Open Forum.”
The situation has become increasingly dire for plot owners, especially given that the Karnataka Legislative Assembly Petition Committee had set a final deadline for BDA to complete the infrastructure development by November 2023. Yet, despite this deadline and a previous extension of 14 months, progress has been minimal, and there has been no significant improvement in the availability of essential services.
In response to these growing concerns, residents have been vocal about the BDA’s failure to meet the committee’s directives. Surya Kiran, Joint Secretary of the Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Layout Open Forum, expressed frustration, pointing out that the BDA had requested additional time to complete the work but had failed to honour even the extended deadline.
The committee had first instructed BDA to complete infrastructure development within one year of its directive in 2022, yet, with the extended deadline having passed in September 2023, BDA has been unable to deliver on its promises.
BDA Chairman N.A. Harris recently visited the layout and assured residents that work was ongoing and that infrastructure would soon be in place. However, the development has been limited to only one block, the 7th Block, which can be seen from Mysore Road. Despite claims that work is progressing across the entire layout, residents argue that the reality is far from this.
According to Surya Kiran, while 80% of the development work has been completed in the 7th Block, the infrastructure in other blocks—such as Blocks 5 and 6—is still incomplete. Even more concerning is the fact that the majority of the blocks lack any infrastructure development at all. This lack of progress has left plot owners in the remaining eight blocks unable to begin construction on their homes, further exacerbating the frustration within the community.
Responding to the mounting criticism, BDA Commissioner N. Jayaram sought to defend the authority’s efforts, stating, “Development work in Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Layout is ongoing. Claims that no work has been done are far from accurate, and we expect all projects to be completed soon.” He further explained that the development is being carried out in stages, and that the authorities are confident that the remaining work will be completed in the near future.
Despite these assurances, residents remain unconvinced, pointing out that the BDA has been collecting full plot payments from allotters since 2016 and 2018 but has failed to deliver the promised infrastructure. The lack of phased development has only added to the discontent, with many plot owners questioning why they have not received any of the services they were promised when they made their payments.
The 4,040-acre layout, which was first conceptualised in 2010, was intended to be a sprawling residential area. However, the promised infrastructure development has been marred by repeated delays and lack of action. Construction was planned for the 2,200-acre area, but as of now, residents are still waiting for basic services to be implemented in a majority of the blocks.
The BDA had initially set out a timeline for phased development, but the lack of progress has left many wondering when their areas will be developed. Channabasavaraj, President of the Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Layout Open Forum, questioned, “Don’t the plot owners in the other blocks deserve to build homes too?” His statement reflects the collective frustration of residents who feel they have been left in limbo for years, waiting for basic infrastructure to be put in place.
The ongoing delays have raised questions about the accountability of the BDA and its ability to deliver on major urban development projects. Residents are demanding that the BDA take immediate and concrete steps to complete the infrastructure development in Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Layout, as promised.
The Open Forum, which has been the voice of the residents, has also called on the state government to step in and ensure that the BDA fulfils its commitments. Plot owners, many of whom have invested their life savings into securing their plots, are becoming increasingly disillusioned with the lack of progress and the authorities’ inability to meet deadlines.
In conclusion, the Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Layout remains a stark example of how delays in infrastructure development can hinder progress and cause widespread frustration. With the BDA’s promises remaining unfulfilled, and no clear timeline for completion, residents are growing impatient and demanding action. As the November 2023 deadline passes with no resolution in sight, the authorities must address the concerns of residents and deliver the infrastructure that was promised years ago.
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