Rs 370 cr property tax evasion detected in Bengaluru using GPS & drone surveys, 49,000 notices issued

Door-to-door GPS surveys and drone mapping by the Greater Bengaluru Authority uncover large-scale underpayment by nearly 10,000 property owners across the city.

In a major crackdown on property tax evasion, the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), along with the National Informatics Centre (NIC) and GPS survey teams, has detected underpayment of nearly Rs 370 crore in property tax across Bengaluru.

The detection followed an extensive door-to-door survey combined with GPS data collection and drone-based mapping of built-up areas across properties under city corporations. The survey revealed that close to 10,000 properties had declared lower built-up areas or incorrect usage details, leading to significant revenue loss for the civic body.

According to officials, around 10,000 properties are being surveyed daily using handheld GPS devices, while high-resolution drone images are used to map actual built-up areas. This data is then verified through a Quality Control (QC) process before being matched with tax declarations made by property owners.

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In several cases, authorities found that property owners had either declared a smaller built-up area or failed to mention commercial usage, even when the property was partly or fully used for business purposes. Such discrepancies directly impact tax calculations and reduce revenue collections.

“The GPS-based ground data is matched with drone images and digitised maps. If there is a mismatch in declared area or usage, a show-cause notice is issued asking the owner to pay the evaded tax along with interest and penalty,” GBA said in an official statement.

Based on these findings, nearly 49,000 show-cause notices have been issued, as each year of underpayment requires a separate notice. On average, authorities found that most properties had underpaid taxes for nearly five years, resulting in multiple notices per property. These notices are being sent through SMS and IVRS systems to ensure faster communication.

Property owners who receive notices can respond or file appeals within 15 days through the official portal:

http://BBMPenyaya.karnataka.gov.in

Those who wish to settle their dues immediately can pay their property tax online at:

http://BBMPtax.karnataka.gov.in

Corporation-wise details: