Transferable Development Rights proposed to finance Bangalore Metro land acquisition cost

Some 522 public and private properties will be demolished to pave way for Phase 2 of the Bangalore Metro Rail.

The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited’s blueprint, which was cleared by the cabinet, has determined the exact number of properties that will be demolished or acquired in the proposed six routes of this phase. Further, the company has estimated the compensation for the acquired properties would be nearly Rs 2,000 crore.

The state government and BMRC explored that Transferable Development Rights (TDR) can be a potential means to finance the land cost. The corporation sought the government’s permission to issue TDRs in lieu of compensation for acquisition of land. “The current TDR scheme requires certain systemic improvements to make it more market-friendly and acceptable. A review is necessary and it should result in additional revenue and be attractive for the TDR acquirer,” K M Shivakumar, additional chief secretary, urban development department, has written to the government.

TDR certificates are given to property owners by BBMP or any civic agency in lieu of compensation when her property is acquired for infrastructure works. It’s a tool to acquire land without providing monetary compensation. With TDR certificates, property owners can increase the floor area ratio (FAR) of their property and take up construction vertically.

BMRC said the number of demolitions in Phase 2 routes would be less compared to Phase 1 as four of the totally six proposed corridors are outside the Central Business District. In the new line, from IIMB to Gottigere to Nagawara, there would no demolition of properties as the major portion is underground (total length is 21.25km of which 13.79km is underground). “The demolition of properties on another new line — RV Road to Bommasandra — would be less as the alignment is on the service road along National Highway-7,” BMRC sources told TOI.

The corporation also said that, unlike in Phase 1, no slums would be affected. “There’s no need for slum rehabilitation. However, a few houses on the RV Road-Bommasandra corridor need to be demolished and affected families will be given a rehabilitation package,” sources said.