Bengaluru mandates e-khata for building plan approvals starting July 1

Starting July 1, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) will mandate E-Khata submission for all online building plan approvals, marking a significant step toward digitalizing property-related processes.

Also read: BBMP expedites final e-Khata issuance, ensuring two-day processing

An E-Khata, an electronic property ownership record, will be required for applications, including those under the Nambike Nakshe scheme, BBMP announced on Monday.

This follows the October 2024 mandate requiring E-Khatas for property transactions like sales and mortgages. The new rule eliminates the need for manual submission of property documents to the Revenue Department, streamlining verification processes. BBMP’s EoDB-OBPS software, used for online building plan approvals, will integrate with the E-Aasthi system, which issues E-Khatas, to enhance efficiency.

The initiative aims to reduce processing times and increase transparency, with applicants required to provide their E-Khata or ePID number during submissions.

Bengaluru processes around 10,000 building applications annually, though many constructions, particularly on 'B' khata properties, reportedly lack approvals due to ineligibility.

BBMP has issued five lakh E-Khatas and upgraded infrastructure to handle 3,000 applications daily, resolving most pending requests within one to two days. However, challenges persist for property owners needing record corrections to obtain E-Khatas.

Under the ‘Trust & Verify’ model, failure by Assistant Directors to verify or reject applications on time triggers deemed approvals, with disciplinary action against responsible staff. This reform is set to simplify workflows but may pressure builders navigating E-Khata requirements.