The Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), the apex urban governance body overseeing coordination between all city corporations, has announced that it has issued more than 8 lakh e-Khatas across the city. In a major administrative upgrade, the authority is now preparing to roll out passport-seva-style service centres to accelerate approvals, reduce delays and improve the overall citizen experience.
In an official statement issued, the GBA confirmed that residents can continue availing e-Khata services through existing Bengaluru One centres. However, the new passport-style centres are expected to significantly streamline operations, much like the highly efficient Passport Seva Kendras operated by the Ministry of External Affairs.
Passport-Seva Model for e-Khata Services
Addressing the media, Tushar Girinath, Additional Chief Secretary of the Urban Development Department, said the new model aims to eliminate bottlenecks in the current system.
He explained that the upcoming centres will ensure smoother and faster processing of e-Khata applications and reduce the hurdles property owners often face. At a recent press conference, he said the initiative seeks to “eliminate the difficulties faced by citizens when obtaining e-Khata,” enabling “efficient service delivery through the newly planned service centres.”
Girinath also highlighted the need to increase participation among property owners. Of Bengaluru’s nearly 21 lakh properties, only 8.2 lakh owners have applied for e-Khatas so far. “Bengaluru One centres are trying to handhold people to apply for e-Khata. Around 10 passport-style seva kendras will be opened in each zone,” he said.
To address operational challenges, the GBA announced that the earlier round-robin allocation system—which distributed applications evenly among officials—has been discontinued. The mechanism reportedly caused workflow inefficiencies and delays.
An upgraded system is now in place to improve turnaround time. To ensure accountability, the authority has deployed a special surveillance team of 25 officers mandated to monitor files where applications are rejected or delayed without valid reasons.
Special Commissioner Munish Moudgil urged citizens not to fall prey to middlemen offering e-Khata assistance. He reiterated that “applications submitted online will be processed within stipulated timelines unless there are technical issues. Staff rejecting applications without valid reasons will face disciplinary action.”
B-Khata to A-Khata Conversions Are Still Moving at a Slow Pace
Even after the efforts of the administration to speed up the process, the conversion of B-Khata to A-Khata, which is a change that many property owners have been demanding for a very long time, is still going at a snail's pace. The GBA has verified that close to 3,252 conversion applications have been submitted, and in total, almost 3,000 applications have been lodged as of now.
However, 98% of these applications are pending, largely due to applicants not uploading essential documents, particularly property maps, which are mandatory for processing. Officials noted that most of these applications would be cleared promptly once the necessary files are submitted.
The GBA is expecting a substantial financial boost from the Premium FAR (Floor Area Ratio) scheme, especially after the Karnataka High Court dismissed a key petition opposing the policy on December 5. With the legal roadblock removed, developers, landowners and homebuyers can now access Premium FAR benefits without uncertainty.
According to the authority’s statement, Premium FAR is projected to generate approximately ₹2,000 crore annually. The scheme allows developers to construct additional floors beyond the permissible limit by paying a premium fee, calculated based on the road width and the guidance value of the property.
With the planned launch of passport-style seva centres, enhanced monitoring systems and the expected financial inflow from Premium FAR, the GBA aims to reshape Bengaluru’s administrative efficiency. The civic body hopes these measures will not only improve the e-Khata experience for lakhs of property owners but also strengthen the city’s governance ecosystem.
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