BENGALURU: Thousands of flats and villas built by the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) on the city’s outskirts are struggling to find takers, despite being priced lower than comparable units offered by private builders. Even years after completion, as many as 2,294 units remain unsold.
The Authority has attempted to boost sales through property melas, bulk purchase discounts and even a 5 per cent rebate on select projects, but buyer response has been lukewarm. Poor infrastructure, residents say, is the biggest deterrent.
Many layouts lack proper road connectivity, street lighting and basic civic amenities. Several buildings are facing seepage issues and, in the absence of functional residents’ associations, maintenance has suffered.
The problem is evident across projects in Kannamangala, Konadasapura, Alur Phase 1, Valagerahalli Phase 1, Gunjur and Thippasandra, where even owners who have purchased flats are unable to let them out owing to low demand.
At Hunnigere, of the 100 villas launched three years ago, only 16 have been sold, leaving 84 still on the market. Buyers allege that villa prices are steep, with construction costs not clearly disclosed.
Although the BDA Chairman had earlier indicated that talks were under way with private builders to help liquidate the unsold inventory and streamline maintenance through apartment associations, little progress has been made so far.
As a result, both flats and villas continue to remain vacant, raising concerns over planning and execution in peripheral housing projects.
