BHUBANESWAR: Landowners of Bhubaneswar Development Authority‘s (BDA) town planning (TP) schemes on Tuesday raised concerns over delays in converting their land to homestead from agriculture and other types during the handover process. The matter was discussed during a meeting between BDA officials and landowners, covering TP scheme no. 8, which includes Dasapur and Andharua mouzas on the outskirts here.
During the meeting, the landowners demanded that BDA convert the land to homestead from agricultural before handing it over. The owners alleged that since BDA is not converting the land, they are facing issues, running from pillar to post for the process. “We are willing to participate in the TP scheme. BDA is redeveloping the land and handing it back to us, but they are not converting the land use type, resulting in issues while constructing our houses,” Dasapur resident Jayant Behera said.
Under the TP schemes, landowners contribute 40% of their land for urban infrastructure development, while retaining 60% for their own use. Owners then get back redeveloped land with proper road, sewerage, water supply and electricity.
Another landowner, Gajendra Das, said that even if they lost 40% of the land, it is worth it since they are receiving redeveloped land. “We are willing to give 40% of the land, but the plot we are getting should be usable and this can be done if we get homestead land,” he added.
BDA’s deputy commissioner (TP), Bhabataran Sahu, assured them of a solution to their issues. Sahu also informed the landowners about the opening of a helpdesk at Kalinga Nagar for them. “Infrastructure projects and land possession activities have been completed under TP scheme numbers 1, 2, 3 and 4, encompassing 9 mouzas, including Sahajpur, Naragoda, Paikarapur, Nuagaon, Tamando, Bijipur and Sijuput,” he said.
Sahu detailed the steps taken to prepare the draft plan following the declaration of intent for TP-8 and discussed the necessary procedures for its successful implementation in accordance with the ODA Act, 1982.
TP scheme no. 8 in Dasapur and Andharua mouzas holds importance as the BDA is also planning to develop a Bhubaneswar New City, a satellite city for the state capital. Andharua and Dasapur mouzas mostly have govt land.
