Relief for Builders in Bangalore as Karnataka High Court orders Master Plan 2015 is final

In a judgment that will have far-reaching impact on property development, the high court has said that the comprehensive development plan drawn up for the city – Revised Master Plan 2015 –will be the final document, governing land use and zoning regulations in any area. 

    

This means the Revised Master Plan 2015, drawn up by the BDA, overrides all village and gram thana maps.

WHAT’S THE CASE ABOUT? 

This verdict was delivered by Justice BS Patil in a writ petition filed by Sobha Developers Ltd against BBMP and BDA. The case pertained to BBMP’s objection to the developer’s proposal to cut roads at its residential project in Nagasandra. The Palike denied permission to cut roads for laying power, water and sewerage connections, contending that part of the project was on a ‘naala’ (drain), as per the Nagasandra village map. 

    

The petitioner said there was no ‘naala’ shown in the Revised Master Plan 2015, based on which the project development plans had been approved by BDA and construction licence accorded by the BBMP. 

   

“This judgment implies that all development will henceforth have to be in conformity with the Revised Master Plan 2015,” said advocate Suraj Govind Raj, representing the petitioner. 

NO ROADBLOCK FOR BUILDERS 

   

Developers and property owners across the state can heave a sigh of relief after the high court declared that the Revised Master Plan 2015 is the ultimate document when it comes to zonal and land use regulations. 

   

Local bodies have often cited village maps to deny clearances for various property development projects, notwithstanding the maps drawn up by local bodies themselves. The multiplicity of maps has bogged down several projects. 

   

This sets a precedent. All plans by local planning authorities will now be final, in terms of zoning and land use regulations, said advocate Suraj Govind Raj. 

   

The court ruling renders property development easier as developers will now have to refer to one map — the one that’s in the Revised Master Plan 2015 or drawn by respective local bodies.