BDA's manual building plan approval process under fire; calls grow for online system

Bengaluru property owners have voiced frustration over the Bangalore Development Authority’s (BDA) manual building plan approval process, citing delays and corruption as significant challenges.

Unlike the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), which has implemented a streamlined online system, BDA continues to rely on a cumbersome manual approach, leading to inefficiency and allegations of bribery.

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Applicants report that the BDA’s process, intended to take 21 days, often drags on for months. The lack of an online platform forces applicants to visit the BDA office repeatedly and submit hard copies of documents, creating unnecessary hurdles.

Reflecting broader concerns over corruption, applicants express that the approvals are expedited only after paying bribe to agents. Property owners who refuse to pay bribes face prolonged delays and harassment, with no transparent system to track application progress.

In contrast, the BBMP’s tech-driven online approval system has significantly reduced processing times and curbed corruption. Its ‘Nambike Nakshe’ initiative, which approves plans certified by empanelled architects without official intervention, has been particularly successful.

It’s high time BDA officials address these issues and make efforts to digitize the process. Citizens and urban planners are calling for swift implementation of these reforms to modernize the system.