Former Minister J. Krishna Palemar at a press conference in Mangaluru on Wednesday. | Photo Credit: H.S.
MANJUNATH The State government should make the proposed Mangaluru Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) of Mangalore Development Authority (MUDA) people-friendly and help future development of Mangaluru Local Planning Area, said former Dakshina Kannada in-charge Minister and former Mangaluru City North MLA J. Krishna Palemar on Wednesday.Speaking to reporters at the Press Club in Mangaluru, Mr.
Palemar said there are some serious flaws in the proposed CDP, which is awaiting approval of the government.Mr. Palemar said the CDP has been drafted without consulting stakeholders.
The government should put the draft on hold and address the lacunae. “If the government fails to address issues, the BJP will launch an agitation,” he said.One among them is related to telescopic setback of buildings. The CDP has proposed that a seven-floor building should leave a setback of one metre.
In contrast, a two-storeyed building has been asked to leave a setback of 1.5 metre. “In the event of an emergency on the 7th floor, how can anybody reach that floor. How can a fire engine move in such a small area,” he asked.The new CDP has proposed to make Unified Land Management System (ULMS) compulsory for construction of houses in 500 sq. m area, while not making ULMS mandatory for construction in an area having above 500 sq. m.
Under ULMS, a person has to get clearances from more than 10 departments, upload a lot of documents, and submit OTPs several times. “People not just have to wait for a long time to get licence for construction, but also have to bear with additional expenses and mental agony.”In the people-friendly CDP which is in force since 2012 when he was the Minister, Mr. Palemar said the government allowed construction even on three cents of land.
But in the proposed CDP, the government is trying to impose different rules for a common man and a builder. “There appears to be a specific lobby that is pushing for these changes in the CDP,” he said.The proposed new CDP has shelved the Transferable Development Rights (TDR) and the Premium Floor Area Ratio (Premium FAR) provisions provided in the 2012 CDP. The TDR allows to acquire lands for widening narrow roads. “It is strange that such a good provision, which aided development of roads in the city without the government having to pay compensation for land acquired, has been given a go-by in the proposed CDP,” he said.The CDP has proposed 12 metre road for hotels, service apartments, schools and places of worship.
Mr. Palemar said if these buildings are on narrow roads, getting licence for re-construction will be difficult.
Mr. Palemar said the CDP proposed should ease norms that will help common man to build layout on his land, which is presently taking a minimum of three years.
Published - November 04, 2026 08:35 pm IST