Bengaluru: Site allottees in Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Layout have opposed their developer BDA’s decision to award a single Rs 160-crore tender for road development across six blocks, fearing delays.
Pointing out that work on multi-agency contracts for development of roads in three other blocks of the layout remains incomplete, they are unsure how a single tender will ensure timely completion.
BDA has been facing criticism for delaying the provision of basic infrastructure in the layout. The allottees complain that despite developing and allotting plots, BDA has failed to provide essential infrastructure such as roads, electricity and drainage systems. They say their repeated appeals for basic amenities since 2022 haven’ yielded desired results.
“The lack of infrastructure makes it impossible for us to construct houses. Roads are pathetic, and there is no proper drainage or electricity. BDA keeps making promises but does not deliver,” said Ramesh Prasad, a plot owner in Block 3.
In March 2024, BDA floated three tenders for development of infrastructure in Blocks 5, 6 and 7, assigning different contractors. However, despite a nine-month deadline, 50% of the work in Block 5 remains incomplete, while Blocks 6 and 7 are still in the final stages of work. The Legislative Assembly Petition Committee has now directed BDA to complete these works by May.
The road work is dependent on completion of drinking water, underground drainage and electricity installations. The petition committee has instructed BDA to ensure hydro and flow tests are conducted successfully before proceeding with road work. However, these crucial infrastructure works remain unfinished in the six blocks.
“BDA is taking the easy way out by giving all the work to one contractor under the pretext of completing pending infrastructure works. This will only delay things further,” alleged Manjunath Reddy, a member of Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Layout Open Forum.
A senior BDA official, however, defended the decision to award a single tender. “We have carefully planned the project to ensure roadwork is completed in two years. A single contractor will allow better coordination of work and prevent delays caused by multiple agencies not working in sync,” he stated.