Pics: Nayana J C
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (NJC)
Mangaluru, Oct 29: The Mangaluru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) is developing more than 750 sites across 17 acres in the Urwa Store area, of which 38 have already been sold.
The authority has also proposed market redevelopment works, lake development projects worth Rs 18 crore and major reforms to simplify land conversion and layout approval procedures.
MUDA chairman Santhosh Kumar Shetty shared these details during a media interaction in Mangaluru on Thursday, outlining the authority's ongoing and proposed projects and highlighting recent government decisions aimed at reducing the financial burden on the public.
MUDA is developing more than 750 sites across 17 acres in the Urwa Store area, with 38 sites reportedly sold so far. Plans have also been drawn up to develop a bus stand and a layout across 45 acres in Shaila village, with work expected to begin in the coming days.
The authority is also planning to upgrade the Urwa Store market area with smart-road facilities, footpaths, beautification measures and plantation. Proposals are under way to improve the old Urwa market and develop separate market and commercial spaces to make the area more accessible, hygienic and convenient for the public.
The proposed market development works are estimated to cost between Rs 7 crore and Rs 9 crore. The new market buildings are planned to have parking facilities on the ground floor, while the upper floors will accommodate IT-BT companies, corporate offices and start-ups equipped with modern facilities.
MUDA has drawn up plans to develop around nine lakes across the city at an estimated cost of Rs 18 crore. Efforts are also under way to develop two parks to improve recreational facilities for residents.
The authority is pursuing proposals for 38 layouts, with applications for 28 layouts submitted. According to the details shared, 10% of the fees has been paid, with the remaining 10% payable upon approval.
Road infrastructure projects are also being undertaken in various parts of the city, including Jawahar Nagar, where road-concreting and digitisation works are planned or under way.
In a significant reform, the Karnataka government has abolished the requirement for a separate land conversion order from the Deputy Commissioner's or Tahsildar's office for land falling within MUDA's approved master plan area.
According to a government circular dated February 18, 2026, MUDA has been empowered to directly approve single-site plans and layouts in accordance with the land-use zoning specified in the master plan, including residential, commercial and industrial zones.
Previously, applicants had to obtain land conversion approval from the Revenue Department before approaching MUDA for layout approval. The revised procedure removes this two-stage process, reduces paperwork and is expected to save applicants considerable time, effort and money.
The government has also simplified certain conditions under the authority's planning regulations to make the approval process more public-friendly.
The government has reduced the regularisation fee for unauthorised layouts registered before March 26, 2011, from 15% to 1%, providing substantial financial relief to property owners seeking approval.
In another major decision, unauthorised layouts registered after March 26, 2011, which were previously ineligible for approval under the applicable rules, can now be considered for regularisation upon payment of a 1% fee, subject to the applicable government conditions and planning regulations.
The decision is expected to help property owners whose applications have remained pending for years. Regularisation and approval, where granted, could also help eligible owners access property-related services, including bank loans and relevant ownership documentation, subject to applicable legal and banking requirements.
MUDA has also introduced measures to resolve delays in obtaining survey maps, which had affected the processing of layout approval applications. The distribution of UPR/O maps in urban areas had been temporarily suspended, while delays in obtaining ADLR-certified survey maps in rural areas had left applications pending.
To address the issue, a high-level coordination meeting was held on October 5 under the leadership of MUDA chairman Santhosh Kumar Shetty. MUDA town planning officials, the Deputy Director of Land Records (DDLR) and Assistant Directors of Land Records (ADLR) from the authority's jurisdiction participated in the meeting.
The meeting decided to send a common official communication to the DDLR and taluk-level ADLR offices to facilitate the direct and timely supply of survey maps to applicants.
It was also unanimously decided to place before MUDA's board a proposal to prepare survey maps through the authority's designated surveyors for eligible cases involving small plots created through unauthorised subdivisions before March 20, 2011, subject to the required approval.
At a subsequent meeting on October 6, a revised procedure was introduced to facilitate the timely supply of UPR/O survey maps in urban areas and ADLR-certified survey maps in rural areas directly to MUDA. The new arrangement is intended to resolve survey-related delays and prevent applications from remaining pending due to documentation issues.
Public urged to utilise new provisions
MUDA has appealed to residents within its jurisdiction to take advantage of the revised government provisions and approach the authority for information on regularising eligible unauthorised layouts and obtaining layout approvals.
The authority said the reforms are intended to simplify administrative procedures, reduce the financial burden on property owners and improve access to urban planning services.
With the proposed site development, lake rejuvenation, parks, market modernisation and road infrastructure projects, MUDA aims to strengthen Mangaluru's civic amenities and support the city's planned urban growth.