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Koramangala - Bangalore's evolving Manhattan

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Written By murali772 - 19 February, 2015

Bangalore urban development Citizen Reports urban planning urban development Urban Infrastructure densification

The newest development that is going to be adding to the high-rises in Koramangala is Prestige Pinewood, slated for official launch on 23rd Feb. It is coming up on a 2.5 acre plot, carved out of the 65 acre Shantinagar House Building Co-op Society land (close to the Nirguna Mandir). The sales brochure details it at having 256 units, distributed over 3 towers, each 14 floors high. The works are to commence in Aug 2015; for completion in Dec 2018. 
 
Now, fearing such densification, and its adverse impact on the neighborhood, particularly with regard to traffic, water supply, sewage, narrowing of drains (raja-kaluve's), and such issues, a few concerened RWA's, had in Sept '12, collectively addressed this letter to the BDA. No BDA, no BBMP appears to have taken note of it. 
 
Another interesting aspect pertaining to the 65 acre property is that its ownership is mired in serious controversy, rocking the Siddaramaiah government even (check here). One wonders how the builder is taking such a huge risk. 
 
Now, the 256 flats will mean another 500 odd cars at the already badly congested Kamal Bakery (Wipro Park) junction, and a burden of another min 200,000 ltr/ day on the already overloaded water supply and sewage lines. And, if the remaining 62.5 acres are also developed in similar fashion, you can imagine what the situation is going to be. And, apparently, there's no preventing it.
 
The other high-rise developments making for the Manhattanisation of Koramangala are
1) The massive Mantri complex (on the Bellandur flood plains), approximately 12 times the size of the Malleswaram Mantri mall (presently stayed by court - check here),
2) The 15.64 acre PPP (Maverick/ Garuda) commercial cum EWS housing project coming up opposite the Games Village (check here, for details)
3) The massive Raheja Vivarea complex, which got mired in the MSL juggle (check here) 
4) The comparatively smaller Embassy Pristine and Sterling Infinia, also on the Ballandur flood plains (check here)
 
Besides all of these is going to be the inevitable commercial complex development, again by Prestige, on the massive 4 acre property, they acquired recently, at the toll-gate junction (Hosur road, Sarjapur road intersection). How many more in the offing one doen't know. Of course, all of these are in addition to the already existing, and decades old Raheja Residecy, Embassy Tranquil, Mantri Classic (where I reside), Embassy Meadows, and a few others. 
 
Well, people live in Manhattan, right? I suppose we can continue to live in Koramangala too. But, the difference is Manhattan simultaneously upgrades its infrastructure; but, we don't. Perhaps, it's time to demand of the powers that be that they either upgrade the infrastructure, or curtail such densification. 
 
Muralidhar Rao
 

COMMENTS

Koramangala - evolving Manhattan!!

Promod Kapur - 19 February, 2015 - 14:27

I do not understand how permission for 14 floors could have been obtained. This place lies in the vicinity of HAL airport and between where Viveria Apartments are and the airport. Approximate distance from Viveria is about 1 km. If Viveria which is 1 km further could obtain permission from HAL to build only up to 932 m (about 12 floors) above msl (mean sea level) because  rules restrict the building heights within a certain radius of the landing strip for reasons of safety, how come Prestige is permitted to build 14 floors, even though closer to the airport?  The ground level at Prestige is not much lower than at Viveria. Is this another case of falsification of data to obtain additional floors? Viveria wanted to build 17 floors and had falsified the data of height in their application to get additional floors, which was detected by spirited citizens and  HAL was forced to cancel the NOC to Viveria. The matter is now in the court. The case of proposed Prestige project also needs closer scrutiny.

Traffic and water are going to major sticking points. Authorities need to explain how these have been addressed. This whole area was supposed to be a House Building cooperative society and plan was sanctioned for individual plots. How come these have now become high rise buildings in three towers? Are rules being bent?

 

some additional info

murali772 - 19 February, 2015 - 16:25

@ Major - There's a specific mention that the ceiling height is 9.75 ft. Perhaps the overall height issue has been addressed that way.

Other areas are competing too...

Vasanth - 21 February, 2015 - 13:24

At the backside of my house, in a land of 30x40 feet, a building with 5 floors has been constructed. There is one more building where there is a building of 6 floors on  a 30x40 plot.

I am afraid it might fall on the side even a slight problem such as poor quality material or even the lowest of earth shake. It belongs to all 'corporator' friends and cannot be questioned.

This is the way BBMP works!!!

Koramangala - evolving Manhattan!!

cnkumar - 24 February, 2015 - 15:17

The height per floor has to be 3 meters as per NBC and BBMP Bye laws. It cannot be 9.75 feet.

Will be worthwhile to check the MSL declared against actual.

 

Other areas are competing too...

cnkumar - 24 February, 2015 - 15:28

Vasanth what are you doing about it?

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