GCDA may become first local body to serve as appropriate authority for land pooling for a major project

GCDA designated as appropriate authority for land pooling in Kerala, enhancing value through infrastructure and returning land to owners.

Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) will be the first local body to act as an appropriate authority to make available land for a major project in the State under the land pooling rules, if and when it goes ahead with land pooling for the third phase expansion of the Infopark Kochi.

The State Government order dated October 18, 2024, designated the GCDA as the appropriate authority for the proposed land pooling under Section 56 of the Kerala Town and Country Planning (Amendment) Act, into which land pooling rules were incorporated through an extraordinary government gazette dated March 16, 2024.

“Though we have undertaken projects like Kaloor-Kadavanthra Road, which can be construed as executed through land pooling, this is the first time a local body is being designated as the appropriate authority under the land pooling rules,” said GCDA sources.

Out of the 300 acres which the GCDA proposes to make available, 100 acres would be made available to Infopark Kochi, while the remaining 200 acres would be enhanced in value through infrastructure, and a portion of it would be returned to landowners, which is at the heart of the concept of land pooling.

According to the Kerala Land Pooling Rules, 30% of the land would be used for commercial, industrial, and housing purposes, and the remaining land would be returned to landowners. The municipal corporation, municipal council, town panchayat, or village panchayat may, through a resolution, decide to prepare a land pooling scheme in respect of any part of the area within its jurisdiction.

Once not less than 75% of landowners of the proposed land pooling scheme area give their consent, the appropriate authority may issue the final notification for the drafting of the scheme. However, it is mandatory that the landowners who decline to give their consent should also be included in the scheme. Even if the consent is not forthcoming, the appropriate authority may, with the approval of the government, take an appropriate decision with regard to the scheme.

Landowners with plots not less than five hectares in municipal corporations, seven hectares in municipalities, and 10 hectares in panchayats can apply to the appropriate authority for inclusion of their plots in a land pooling scheme in their areas.