The Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) announced its plan to construct over 1,000 group houses besides cluster houses in pockets of land that have not been utilised. The layouts were developed by the City Improvement Trust Board (CITB) and subsequently MUDA. MUDA commissioner DB Natesh, presenting the development agency’s budget for 2022-23, said that the new project was being implemented as part of a special scheme. He said that MUDA had kept Rs 5 crore for the construction of group houses and developing some infrastructures, including roads and compound walls. MUDA has acquired over 77 acres of vacant land in 20 different layouts, Dattagalli III Stage, Nachanahalli I Stage, Lalithadripura, Sathgalli, Hinkal and Devanur. The authority has proposed to construct 206 houses and 850 group houses in the current fiscal year (FY), for which it has earmarked Rs 108 crore. An advocate told the media that the land was acquired for developing sites for public utility (PU) and cannot be used for any other purpose. Natesh told the media that MUDA had developed 74 layouts, distributing 96,000 sites for public use. Mysuru Legislative Council (MLC) and MUDA member KT Srikantegowda said that the development body had failed to reach up to its expectations by failing to allot sites to the public. He called upon the MUDA authorities to focus on discharging the agency’s primary duty. Former Mayor BL Byrappa urged MUDA to reserve funds for protecting water bodies such as Dalvoy Kere, Devi Kere and Gobli Kere. MUDA, in its budget, has reserved funds to improve road infrastructure and water projects but has failed to focus on lakes within its jurisdiction. Image Source Also read: Mysuru civic body to adopt BBMP model to curb revenue layout growth