A 1300-sqft apartment on the fifth floor of a Rajajinagar complex provides a buyer with 270 sqft of undivided land share (UDS), despite being an unauthorized construction. This reflects the city’s pressing demand for housing, compelling builders to add extra floors, often breaching approved plans.

To regulate such practices, the government enacted the Premium Floor Area Ratio (FAR) Bill in February. This permits developers to extend structures upwards by paying 28% of the guidance value to the local planning authority. While this benefits builders, critics argue it overlooks critical infrastructure challenges like traffic congestion, water supply, and waste disposal.

Dhananjaya Padmanabhachar, an advocate for homebuyer rights, raises concerns about how the law affects existing properties, particularly UDS allocations. R Rajagopalan, founder of the Bengaluru Coalition, decries the bill as shortsighted, accusing it of prioritizing revenue generation over sustainable urban planning. He warns that unchecked high-rises could overwhelm the city’s fragile infrastructure.

The legislation also facilitates the purchase of Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) certificates, intended to encourage high-density housing along metro corridors. However, critics worry it lacks provisions to ensure affordability for lower-income groups reliant on public transport.

According to Suresh Hari of Karnataka Credai, the bill enables optimal land usage but will not make housing cheaper. He asserts that affordability hinges on reducing registration charges and taxation.

With key details still unclear, both real estate stakeholders and homebuyers remain uncertain about its long-term effects.