Bengaluru: In a move to prioritise apartments over large plotted layouts, Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) has taken up six new housing projects across the city, proposing 4,251 flats as part of its latest push to expand residential infrastructure.The projects, worth Rs 3,200 crore and spread across Konadasapura, Electronics City, Valagerahalli, Kalathammanahalli, and Kenchanapura, include 1BHK to 4BHK units and are currently under construction, with basic infrastructure such as roads, drainage, and power supply.Among the largest upcoming projects is Konadasapura Phase 1 housing scheme in Bidarahalli hobli, where 1,928 flats — 480 2BHK and 1,448 3BHK units — are being developed at an estimated cost of Rs 713.5 crore.In Konadasapura Phase 3, BDA plans to build 532 flats (2BHK, 3BHK, and 3.5BHK units). A commercial complex is also planned in the same phase, featuring a cinema theatre, food court, and entertainment facilities, at an estimated cost of Rs 42.4 crore.Many of the units are currently under construction, with completion set for the year-end. A senior BDA official said: “Under-construction phases are already seeing interest, including from the Army Welfare Housing Board, which has requested 300-400 flats. The reason for more apartment construction is that layouts are not sold directly, as public demand is oversubscribed; apartments are preferred for vertical growth, accommodating more families in limited space. The goal is to manage Bengaluru’s population growth efficiently.”10k flats soldBesides its ongoing housing projects, BDA has completed 13,118 flats under 30 housing schemes, with at least 10,153 units already allotted. Authorities have also introduced an online system enabling applicants to select flats of their choice, aiming to make the allotment process more transparent and convenient.According to BDA, 575 flats were sold from Aug 2025 to Feb 2026 in multiple locations, including Hunnigere, Kommaghatta, Kaniminike, and Gunjur. These completed units complement the authority’s broader efforts to expand affordable housing options across the city. Recently, Canara Bank acquired 120 2BHK flats in the Kommaghatta apartments and requested an additional 120 3BHK units in the same complex.Explaining the reason behind good sales, the official said: “Earlier, there was little transparency, accountability or public engagement, with communication largely one-way from BDA to citizens. Now we have a system that allows feedback and addresses queries and grievances. We ran extensive campaigns to clear inventory. Our studies showed that public awareness was low — many people didn’t know flats or villas were available, and some assumed they were auctioned. There was also a perception issue due to earlier low-quality EWS (economically weaker section) construction, which discouraged mid-income buyers, and we addressed it.”NA Haris, chairman, BDA said: “There is a strong demand for apartments. We have also launched new projects with nearly 4,800 to 5,000 flats, and work has already begun. Going forward, we are focusing on vertical growth, much like cities such as Mumbai, as land availability is becoming a challenge with the city expanding rapidly. Bengaluru is one of the fastest-growing cities, and we see strong prospects in this segment.“Layouts far from readyThe authority is also continuing the development of major layouts in the city, with plans to expand K Shivaram Karanth Layout to 11 surrounding villages and Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Layout (NPKL) to 21 villages.Shivaram Karanth Layout, in north Bengaluru, is being developed with roads, drains, water supply pipelines, underground drainage networks, and electrification. At NPKL, which spans 12 villages in Yeshwantpur and Kengeri, BDA has spent Rs 3,811 crore so far. Of the 3,969 acres notified for acquisition, 2,963 acres were handed over to the engineering section, while about 970 acres remain to be acquired. Development work is progressing on 2,771 acres where more than 30,843 sites are being formed, along with 409 parks and playgrounds and 178 civic amenity sites.In Arkavathy Layout, spread across 567 acres, authorities have formed 8,286 intermediate sites, most of which were already allotted. Road asphalting is under way, while water supply and underground drainage works are being executed by BWSSB, with officials stating that around 80% of drainage work and 90% of electrical work are completed. While allottees said they are yet to get water connections and other facilities like playgrounds, roads and drains, officials said the works are going on and will soon be completed.
