The Karnataka High Court has upheld the state government’s revised Floor Area Ratio (FAR) rules for Bengaluru, marking a major shift in the city’s urban development framework. The ruling allows builders to utilise up to 60% more buildable area, enabling significantly taller structures similar to high-rise clusters seen in Mumbai and Hyderabad.
Under the updated rules, developers can now construct buildings with nearly double the number of floors permitted earlier, enhancing the feasibility of redevelopment projects across the city. The decision is expected to make Transferable Development Rights (TDR) more attractive as compensation for landowners, particularly in dense urban pockets where redevelopment potential is high.
As an early adopter, Brigade Group has proposed a 200-metre, 40-floor tower—Bhadra Tower—with an FAR of 5.2, signalling strong developer interest following the court’s clearance. Experts note that the revised norms will accelerate modernisation of Central Bengaluru, where older buildings are likely to be replaced with taller, efficient structures.
The government is also expected to explore further FAR enhancements to meet rising housing demand, especially within the premium and luxury residential segments. Increased FAR usage may contribute to broader commercial and residential growth along key corridors such as Outer Ring Road (ORR), Peripheral Ring Road (PRR) and STRR, where infrastructure expansion is underway.
The revised FAR policy is anticipated to boost overall real-estate activity by enabling better land utilisation, encouraging mixed-use development and supporting denser urban growth patterns aligned with global city models.
