BANGALORE: The vacant shops in a commercial complex, constructed by Bangalore Development Authority (BDA), at HSR Layout can be considered as an example of how government funds go waste if there is no proper planning or vision.The shopping complex was inaugurated by the then Chief Minister S M Krishna on October 30, 2003. What prompted the BDA to embark on constructing one more floor to the ground plus first floor complex, is not known. The BDA constructed the second floor consisting more than 40 shops, which was later inaugurated by the then Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy on April 11, 2007.These shops are meant to be rented out. As of now, the BDA is charging around Rs 70 per sq ft as rent. However, the shops on the second floor are lying vacant for the last four years. “There are no footfalls registered for the shops located on the ground and first floor. It is difficult to do business here,” said a shop-owner on the ground floor on condition of anonymity.A 300 sqft shop earns Rs 21,000 revenue per month for the BDA if it has any takers. If the BDA takes initiative to find tenants for the 40 shops, it can earn a revenue of Rs 8,40,000 per month. As per these calculations, BDA has lost more than four crore rupees.“To add the second floor, BDA might have spent crores of rupees. One can imagine the loss for the last four years due to its failure to allot the shops to prospective tenants,” says a shop owner on the first floor.It is pity to see BDA failing to find tenants for the shops at its complex that has sufficient space for parking. However, the BDA authorities have to take measures to ensure cleanliness on complex premises. The toilets are in such bad condition that even a stray dog does not put its leg there, forget humans using it. Heaps of plastic at the main entrance and garbage dumped in one of the water fountains have to be cleared.“No one cleans these toilets. The cleaning work has been awarded to a private contractor. The contractor appointed a person to keep the toilets clean but he is absent for the last two weeks,” said a BDA employee.However, C Nataraj, Executive Engineer, BDA, has said that efforts were made to allot the remaining shops as early as possible. “We have received around 10 applications from businessmen. The process of allotting shops is under progress. I think the remaining 30 shops will be allotted shortly,” he said. Meanwhile, the walkers wait in hope.
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