Karnataka eases TDR rules, unifies development norms across Bengaluru

The Karnataka government has introduced a major policy change by allowing Transferable Development Rights (TDR) to be used seamlessly across the entire Greater Bengaluru Area (GBA). This decision marks a shift from earlier rules that restricted Development Rights Certificates (DRCs) to specific jurisdictions under individual planning authorities such as the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) and the Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor Planning Authority (BMICPA).

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Under the new framework, the entire 709-square-kilometre GBA will now function as a single, integrated planning unit. Developers and landowners holding DRCs can utilise them in any part of the region, irrespective of where the certificates were originally issued. This removes previous administrative barriers and is expected to simplify procedures involved in compensatory development rights.

The BDA has been entrusted with managing and regulating all DRC-related transactions throughout the GBA. Authorities believe the streamlined approach will encourage greater participation in the TDR system, enhance transparency, and limit misuse.

The reform aligns with a broader agenda to improve land management and urban growth strategies. It follows an earlier 2024 amendment that enabled agricultural landowners to access TDR benefits by paying required conversion charges, thereby expanding the scope of beneficiaries.

By removing localised constraints and consolidating regulatory oversight, the policy aims to create a more flexible and efficient urban development ecosystem in Bengaluru, addressing both infrastructure needs and equitable land usage across the expanding metropolitan area.