In one of the largest property record regularisation exercises in recent years, the Greater Bengaluru Authority has cleared around 60,000 conversions from b-Khata to a-Khata status, with officials promising to complete future approvals within 15 days through a redesigned digital system.
More than 1.2 lakh applications have been filed so far, and over 15,000 remain under active processing, according to data shared by the state’s urban development leadership this week. The move is expected to unlock significant transactional and lending activity in the city’s housing market, where khata classification determines legal standing and access to financial services. Under Karnataka’s municipal framework, an a-Khata certifies that a property is part of an approved layout with sanctioned building plans and statutory clearances. A b-Khata, by contrast, records properties that fall short of planning norms but are still assessed for property tax. While b-Khata homes are not outright illegal, they face restrictions in securing bank loans, trade licences and formal property transfers. The latest approvals follow a Cabinet decision earlier this year allowing certain properties in unauthorised layouts to transition to a-Khata status, subject to compliance conditions. Urban planners say the scale of the conversion drive signals a broader attempt to formalise large segments of Bengaluru’s peripheral growth. Officials have also announced doorstep delivery of digital e-Khata certificates and tighter timelines for sanctioning building plans. More than 12,000 construction plans have reportedly been cleared through streamlined processes, reflecting an effort to reduce bureaucratic delays and discretionary decision-making.
For homeowners, the khata conversion process is more than an administrative change. Regularised status enhances asset liquidity, improves resale prospects and enables access to institutional finance. In a city where rapid expansion has often outpaced planning approvals, the distinction between b-Khata and a-Khata has long shaped property values. However, urban governance experts caution that regularisation must be accompanied by infrastructure upgrades. Many b-Khata properties are located in layouts that lack adequate drainage, road access or water systems. Formalising ownership without parallel civic investment could strain already stressed neighbourhood services. There are also environmental implications. Bengaluru’s growth has encroached on wetlands and stormwater networks in the past, contributing to flooding and water scarcity. Ensuring that the khata conversion process incorporates environmental compliance checks will be critical for building long-term climate resilience. From a fiscal perspective, bringing more properties into the formal system may strengthen municipal revenues by improving tax compliance and expanding the assessment base. Digitalisation of land and property records can also reduce disputes and enhance transparency.
As Bengaluru continues to expand outward, the success of this exercise will depend on whether administrative efficiency translates into better urban planning outcomes. The immediate gain for property owners is legal clarity. The longer-term test for the city will be aligning regularisation with sustainable, infrastructure-ready growth.
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