Plan sanctioned !

Well, we did get our plan sanctioned, all in one day ! Of course with a little greasing. One can't not, right? I mean if you really want to get a move on. Andenahalli is the panchayat our layout comes under and the village (much transfored in the new Bangalore rural) is a good five kilometers off the main STRR (Sattellite Town Ring Road) a short distance from the main gate of Net City. Of course if you have time, you can go all legal and wait out the sanction for the regular small fee.

All set now to start construction. But some details on what type of home we are building in my next post.

Getting our home plans together

It’s been a long road getting our home plans on paper. The ideas, the dreams, the spaces. Know what you want. Then, find an architect that works for you, if you need one. If not, go ahead and do your own with a contractor. But believe me, it certainly helps to get an architect to help you get the proportions right, the spaces right, the aesthetics right... We were fortunate to come across a really nice young man. Vikram Subbaiah runs ‘Testing Waters Architecture’. A most proactive and customer friendly sort of chap. He has a great attitude and was able to translate our needs efficiently. Honest and ethical, he ensures you are on the right side of the building bye-law. Not only is he very computer literate (really helps these days), best of all he always gets back. You can reach him on 9886402289 or mail him at vikram@testingwaters.net

So, we have our plans ready and hope to submit it to the authorities for sanction soon. More on the type of house we plan to build and the techniques in later posts.

Contact me

I don't know how this works but I did'nt get to see a comment posted by Bobby on 15th Sept till I checked the Blog on 30th. There must be a way to get email alerts in my inbox. Till I figure that out (as you can see I am technologically challenged) feel free to send me messages on my email reachrajaram@gmail.com or call me 9740594232. Let's get Net City moving !

BMRDA

As you all probably know, Net City is a BMRDA approved layout. This means that as per norms, the developer is required to have laid tar roads, piped water and drainage to each site. Additionally, street lights, a common sewage treatment plant which is built at a common facilities area (which I presume is where solid wastes are collected and treated as well) and parks have to be provided by the developer.

As of writing this, the roads need maintaining, the treatment plant is under construction and nothing done about the parks. In fact avenue trees need to be planted - now.

But to come back to BMRDA, here is the link to their website for those who may want to contact them. http://www.bmrda.kar.nic.in/ Rather friendly folks if you go to meet them, but don't bet on getting a reply to any email enquiries you may want to send. Also, not a very user-friendly website (as most government websites are made to be). Look hard enough and if you are patient, may find Net City approval on the approved layout tab, page 18 - I think !

Photos 2005

Browsing, I found these nice photos taken by netcity05 (?) of the layout in 2005. http://travel.webshots.com/album/298857498GuKNdr.

Not much has changed. One house with a garage shutter that is possibly built with the idea of a neighbourhood store when it seems feasible. One house under construction, foundation work completed I suppose as of now. Net City developer says at least half a dozen site owners plan to start building soon. Grass on the tar roads (due to disuse), weeds and lantana bushes on the roadsides. The common facilities area (sewage treatment plant) is still under construction. I will post some photos when I get there next.

Invite

Anu and I have recently purchased a site at Net City on the Sarjapur Attibele road, Bangalore http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=107397443020199017411.000451e478d9163cb6bb7. Plans are being drawn up to build our home there and move in by this time next year. Our home will be among the first to be built and this blog is to invite other site owners to build and move in to create a vibrant community.

My interest is to promote a sustainable community where ecological and environmental concerns will be addressed for improved quality of living. I will be posting my ideas on key areas that can be addressed, useful contacts, photos etc., It would be great to have your participation.