Approval mandatory for private layouts, says urban development minister

MINISTER for Urban Development and Town Planning, Byrathi Suresh, on Monday announced that all private residential layouts falling under the jurisdiction of urban development and town planning authorities in Karnataka will now require government approval before receiving authorisation.

- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @Bengaluru

During a review meeting at Vikasa Soudha, to assess the progress of various urban development authorities and planning agencies, he questioned why private developers could purchase and develop land for residential layouts, while urban development authorities struggled to do the same.

The minister emphasised that the Karnataka Urban Development Authorities Act was enacted to facilitate the development of affordable housing for the general public through government-planned layouts, not solely approved private layouts and their designs. He expressed concern that authorities were deviating from their core responsibilities.