Vinod M jain
*Eligible plans can now get approval in around 30 minutes,replacing a process that earlier took 2–3 months.
*No need to upload Khata documents separately; e-Khata details will be fetched automatically.
*System built on the principle of ‘Trust,but Verify’ to make approvals faster,transparent and hassle-free for citizens.
Getting a building plan approved in Bengaluru is set to become significantly faster and simpler for thousands of homeowners, with the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) today launching ‘Nambike Nakshe 2.0’,a fully automated building plan approval system for residential sites measuring up to 50×80 feet (4,000 sq. ft.),allowing construction of up to four dwelling units.
Launched by Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Shri Krishna Byre Gowda,the new system is designed to substantially reduce human intervention,eliminate unnecessary paperwork and make the approval process more transparent and predictable for citizens.
The reform has been undertaken following the direction of Chief Minister,D.K.Shivakumar,with the objective of making government services simpler,faster and more citizen-friendly.
Speaking at the launch,Krishna Byre Gowda said the objective was not merely to put the existing approval process online, but to rethink the process from the citizen’s point of view and remove avoidable delays and difficulties.
“Citizens who comply with the rules should not have to spend months waiting for approval of their building plans or make repeated visits to government offices.
Nambike Nakshe 2.0 is an attempt to make the system simpler, faster and more transparent by using technology and reducing routine human intervention,”he said.
From 2–3 months to around 30 minutes:
Under Nambike Nakshe 2.0,eligible residential building plans can be submitted entirely online through a qualified architect.
If the submitted plan conforms to the applicable town planning regulations, the system will automatically process and issue the building plan approval in around 30 minutes.
Earlier,the building plan approval process could take two to three months.
The new system therefore seeks to turn what was often a prolonged administrative process into a quick, predictable and hassle-free service for citizens.
No need to upload Khata documents separately.
The new system also significantly reduces the documentation burden on citizens.
Applicants will not have to separately upload Khata and several other property-related documents.Once the e-Khata number is entered,the system will automatically retrieve the basic ownership information relating to the property.
This is expected to make the application process simpler and reduce the need for citizens to repeatedly submit documents already available with government systems.
A system that trusts,but verifies.
The underlying principle of Nambike Nakshe 2.0 is “Trust,but Verify.”
The system places greater trust in citizens and qualified architects who comply with the rules,while using technology-based verification to ensure that submitted plans conform to prescribed regulations.
By making the process online and automated, the GBA is also seeking to significantly reduce the scope for intermediaries and unnecessary human intervention.
The objective is to prevent citizens from being exploited or inconvenienced by middlemen and to create a system in which the rules,process and outcome are more transparent and predictable.
Technology to reduce friction,not just digitise paperwork:
The Minister said the earlier Nambike Nakshe system had enabled citizens to upload building plan-related documents online.
Based on the experience of implementing that system, the need for further simplification and faster delivery of services was identified.
Following discussions with officials and directions from the Chief Minister, Nambike Nakshe 2.0 has been developed to take the reform further by making the approval process fully automated for eligible residential properties.
“This is about making government work easier for the citizen.Technology should not simply move paperwork from the office to a computer screen;it should remove unnecessary steps from the process itself,Byre Gowda said.
First phase to be implemented on a pilot basis:
Nambike Nakshe 2.0 will initially be implemented on a pilot basis in selected areas.
The functioning of the system will be closely reviewed and necessary improvements incorporated before it is expanded to other areas within the jurisdiction of the Greater Bengaluru Authority.
The objective is to ensure that citizens who wish to construct homes in accordance with planning regulations can obtain approvals through a simple,fast and transparent process.
Next phase to cover larger and commercial buildings:
The GBA will also examine the development of simplified, technology-driven approval mechanisms for commercial buildings and larger developments in subsequent phases.
The larger objective is to progressively use technology to simplify building approvals across categories while ensuring compliance with planning and building regulations.
Trust comes with accountability:
While the system is built on trust in citizens and qualified architects, the Minister cautioned that any misuse of the system would attract strict action and penalties.
“The system is based on trust, but that trust cannot be misused.Anyone who deliberately violates the rules or misuses the system will face stringent penalties,”Byre Gowda said.
The launch was attended by Chief Commissioner, Maheshwar Rao,Special Commissioner,Muneesh Moudgil,East City Corporation Commissioner,D.S. Ramesh,Chief Town Planner,P. Sunil Kumar,Additional Chief Town Planner,B.N.Girish,and senior officials of the Greater Bengaluru Authority.
