As part of its mission to position Bengaluru as a global benchmark for urban development while prioritising sustainability and inclusivity, CREDAI Bengaluru, under the leadership of its President Amar Mysore, has requested the Government of Karnataka to urgently consider its recommendations on multiple issues it had placed before it over the last two years, outlining various concerns that developers in the city were facing. While some of CREDAI Bengaluru’s efforts to address key issues affecting the real estate sector have borne fruit, as demonstrated by the government’s positive response to recommendations on matters such as E-Khata, Premium FAR and bringing clarity on car-park areas in Property Tax, increasing the allowable height to 4.5m in stilt parking, there are still other areas that need government intervention.
Amar Mysore, President CREDAI Bengaluru, said, "Over the last two years, we had approached the Government of Karnataka to look into several issues that the real estate sector is facing in the state, and while on the one hand, the government has implemented some of our suggestions, there are several other issues that need to be looked into on a priority basis. The recognition of 150 square feet per car park by the BBMP marks a step in the right direction as the driveway areas were also taken into account earlier, and increasing the allowable height to 4.5m in stilt parking so that mechanical parking systems can be installed to double the capacity of parking in an apartment building which would effectively negate the menace of cars being parked on the street. CREDAI Bengaluru emphasises the need for continued clarification and refinement in these initiatives. One pressing challenge remains unresolved, the revalidation sought regarding the old TDR certificates (Transferable Development Rights), which take much time to be included in the plan sanction process. CREDAI Bengaluru highlighted the significant impact of these issues on project timelines & costs and suggested that old TDR revalidation processes be streamlined. This would involve eliminating redundant reviews and implementing guidelines for modified sanction plans that mandate TDR purchase before granting Occupancy Certificates. Such measures would ensure efficiency while enabling developers to focus on timely project completion.”
“I also urge the authorities to pay attention to the delays caused by the current multi-agency approval system for high-rise developments. We suggested introducing a single-window mechanism, as outlined under Section 32 of the RERA Act, to consolidate about 10-15 approvals that we otherwise will have to take individually from various departments. The platform would reduce administrative bottlenecks and drive coordinated reviews, streamline digital documentation, and ensure fair, standardised fee structures for obtaining NOCs. Another critical issue pertains to height restrictions enforced through NOCs from Jakkur Aerodrome. CREDAI Bengaluru believes that the recreational nature of this private airstrip should exempt developers from such mandates, particularly for projects along the airport road that impact investor perceptions. Exempting these requirements would foster a more conducive environment for growth and development in key urban areas.” he added.
Property Tax reforms related to vacant properties remain a key area of concern for the real estate sector. CREDAI Bengaluru urges the government to reinstate benefits for vacant building taxes, alleviating the financial burden on property owners grappling with vacancies right after the building is completed or when the property is not leased out; this scheme was available to exercise in BBMP prior to Zone classification. Additionally, issuing no-due certificates for fully paid taxes should prevent retrospective reassessments, ensuring a fair and stable tax regime.
Modernising parking solutions through technological advancements such as puzzle parking systems is another area where CREDAI Bengaluru seeks government intervention. This innovative approach to space management would facilitate efficient urban planning and address the growing demand for parking in densely populated areas. We urge the government to consider amendments to zonal regulations to explicitly incorporate puzzle parking systems into urban planning standards. Additionally, we request that the government take forward the Transit Oriented Development (TOD) policy, formulated by the Directorate of Urban Land Transport (DULT) and Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) in May 2019. The TOD policy was introduced to boost development that is centred around and supported by public transit infrastructure.
However, the implementation of the policy continues to face challenges. The TOD policy applies to traffic transit management hubs and promotes accessibility through walking, cycling, and bus services. Its adoption would effectively bring about land-use changes near transit stations, encouraging mixed-use development and allowing for a higher Floor Space Index (FSI) to enable more efficient land utilisation. The policy identifies TOD zones based on ease of access by walking, cycling, or public transit, with the core TOD zone defined as areas within a 6-minute walk or approximately 500 metres from a metro station. We have requested that the government consider increasing FAR allowances within 500 metres of metro stations and revising parking norms to promote the use of public transport. These changes would help reduce traffic congestion and enhance the city’s overall productivity. Another long-standing request is for a uniform and clear definition of water bodies—including lakes, alas, and streams—which is essential to prevent arbitrary enforcement and ensure compliance. We urge the government to provide clarity in the classification of water bodies and to revise buffer zone regulations in order to optimise land use effectively. Additionally, modernising revenue maps in alignment with the Comprehensive Development Plans, using GIS and drone-based mapping, would streamline approval and enforcement processes and reduce dependence on outdated data. We are confident that the Government will look into these issues and continue to support the progressive development of Bengaluru city and Karnataka State,” said Amar Mysore.
