Mangalore: Anyone with Two Cents of Land can Construct House - MUDA
Pics: Ramesh Pandith
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (PS)
Mangalore, Feb 25: "Construction of houses and other buildings was allowed under the Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) that was in force from 1992 to October 1, 2009. From October 2009, a revised Master Plan II was introduced under which, anybody who owns two cents of land is permitted to construct a house along with 3-mtr wide path," said Mangalore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) president Ramesh S.
Addressing a press meet here on Saturday February 25, he made the above statement in the wake of allegations from some quarters that the poor are not being allowed to construct houses in the city. Ramesh clarified that there are many land owners under MUDA limits who are eligible to contruct their own houses, and reiterated that in case of any confusion, one should approach the MUDA office in Urva Stores, Ashoknagar, directly and get the necessary details and permits.
He said that MUDA was not a profit making concern, and that on December 5, 2011, the Authority completed 25 years. The state government then appointed Ramesh S as its president, along with four other members Sharatchandra Shetty, advocate M Sudhakar Joshi, technical expert Suresh Rao, advocate Kasturi Panja, and advocate M Surekha. "It was for the first time that a technical expert was appointed to the team," added Ramesh. All the members were present at the press meet.
The MUDA president further said, "Nearly 75 percent of the files have been cleared in two-and-a-half months after I took up as president. Application received by the MUDA are mostly single-site applications, and steps will be taken from March 1 to clear the pending files within 15 days under the single site housing project.
Elaborating the Master Plan II, he said that it was formed keeping the future in view. "The current population of Mangalore is 6 lac-odd, and in 2021, it is expected to be 10.71 lac. The Master Plan II has been designed in such a way as to meet the demands of the growing population," he said.
He also said that no construction work will be allowed at the cost of the city's beauty or by damaging the surroundings. Citing the example of the fish market at State Bank, he said that it was set up by the people considering accessibility and economy, however, it has no legal permission and will soon be shifted. "That is not how markets should be constructed, and MUDA will take steps to shift it in the near future," he said.
On a query about the increasing number of high-rise buildings in the city, he said that Mangalore City Corporation (MCC) is the licensing authority and not MUDA. "The licences were given by MCC under CDP. MUDA is concerned only with development plans. However, under Master Plan II, illegal high-rises will not be allowed, and we will not hesistate to demolish such structures," he asserted.
He also said that the work on the proposed multi-level car parking project in Hampankatta, Suratkal, Kavoor, Urva Stores, Pumpwell, and Kankanady would be initiated within six months.
The MUDA will also direct the MCC to construct 3-mtr wide footpaths in the main roads of the city, he said. Also, the development of colonies will be encouraged. Already many colonies have been built.
On problems arising out of partition of ancestral land among family members, he said that families must ensure that the partition is done according to the norms of National Building Code (NBC) so it does not interfere with MUDA's plans of development. He added that before dividing the land, the family members should meet and take suggestions from MUDA officials, so that no problems arise later while undertaking development works.
On a query if MUDA would be under citizens charter which will be introduced soon, Ramesh said that it will not be so for the time being, but may be in the future.