NEWS – Developers may be given land parcels on a 99-year lease for layout and property development at the proposed integrated township at Bidadi for which the government is examining a new approach to minimise financial burden.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Land parcels to be leased for 99 years to developers for layout and property development.
• New approach under examination to reduce financial burden on the government.

Key Discussion Points

• Boston Consulting Group (BCG) presentation to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
• Recommendations to adopt land consolidation to prevent price escalation.

Land Consolidation Approach

• Focus on land pooling as the primary method.
• Resort to acquisition only for small parcels where necessary.

Scale of Proposed Townships

• Bidadi Integrated Township: Estimated 8,000-10,000 acres.
• Additional proposed townships by BMRDA:
  • Nandagudi: 17,000-19,000 acres.
  • Solur: 11,000-13,000 acres.
  • Ramanagara: 3,000-5,000 acres.
  • Sathnur: 15,000-17,000 acres.
• Concept first introduced under Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy in 2006.

Land Pooling Models Cited

• Examples from other states:
  • Maharashtra’s Samruddhi Mahamarg.
  • Andhra Pradesh’s Amaravati urbanisation project.

Phased Development Plan for Bidadi

• Phase 1 (800-1,000 acres):
  • Government-led master development.
  • Land pooled into a special-purpose vehicle (SPV) with equity stakes.
• Phase 2 (2,500-3,000 acres):
  • Land transferred to developers on a 99-year lease.
  • Government oversight continues.
• Phase 3 (4,000-5,000 acres):
  • Fully private developer-led.
  • Developers return developed land to original landowners.

Implementation Challenges

• Dependent on farmer consent for land pooling.
• Proposed 50:50 or 60:40 development models:
  • Developed land to be shared between government agencies and landowners.
  • 50-55% of total land typically developed.
• Large-scale opposition from landowners could stall projects.