HUBBALLI: The Hubballi-Dharwad Urban Development Authority (Huda) is gearing up to act against the rising problem of illegal layouts in the twin cities. Huda is considering a comprehensive survey to verify the legitimacy of existing layouts. To aid the public in identifying legal plots, the authority plans to appoint a nodal officer at its headquarters.
According to sources, many builders who received initial approval from Huda to develop layouts failed to obtain the necessary Development Completion Certificates (CC) but proceeded to sell plots without them.
Additionally, more than 1,000 acres of agricultural land in Hubballi-Dharwad have been converted into akrama sites — plots developed without proper authorisation. These illegal plots are being sold for prices ranging from Rs 8 lakh to Rs 20 lakh per gunta, with prices in residential areas reaching as high as Rs 25 to 30 lakh. In some instances, Akrama sites are being sold at rates comparable to non-agricultural (NA) sites.
Huda president Shakir Sanadi expressed concern over this growing trend. “Many builders and agricultural landowners are selling plots without taking any permission from the govt, and people are also buying such plots hoping to have their dream home. But, buying plots in illegal sites and Akrama sites would prove costly for them one day,” Sanadi told TOI.
Sanadi said several builders who applied for layout development did not obtain the necessary CCs from Huda. “Without taking CC, many builders have sold plots from their layouts by providing some kuccha road and erecting a few electric poles,” he said.
According to urban development norms, builders are required to reserve 10% of the land for parking, 5% for civic amenities (CA) sites, 30% for roads, and develop plots on only 55% of the land. However, many developers have ignored these regulations. “Many layouts have not adhered to these norms, and they have even converted CA sites into plots and also not kept land for parks and roads,” Sanadi said.
He warned that many agricultural landowners are converting their land into Akrama sites and selling them at inflated prices. “People should be very careful while buying such plots as there will be no sale deed or registration of land, but everything is being carried out in bonds only,” he said.
Sanadi said Huda is planning to write to the govt, proposing either the regularisation of such layouts through fines or the disconnection of basic facilities provided to Akrama and illegal sites. “People should contact the Huda office to seek information about which layouts are legal,” he urged. Huda has initiated a comprehensive survey of illegal layouts and Akrama sites, he said.
