BENGALURU: The Greater Bengaluru Authority revealed a ‘one-time settlement’ initiative on Wednesday, permitting all B-khata properties within its jurisdiction to apply for conversion to A-khata.
A-khata refers to legitimate properties sanctioned by government planning agencies like the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA). In contrast, B-khata, often termed as ‘bogus khata’, applies to properties constructed without official approval.
According to GBA Chief Commissioner M Maheshwar Rao, “This one-time settlement grants all B-khata property owners a chance to apply for ‘single plot’ approval from the city corporations, leading to automatic conversion to A-khata.” He specified that B-khata flats or multi-storey units are not eligible for this scheme.
For properties up to 2,000 sq metres, owners can apply online through the BBMP portal (https://bbmp.karnataka.gov.in/BtoAKhata).
The application process includes Aadhaar authentication and consent to convert private roads to public roads when applicable.
Owners of properties that have been converted from agricultural use to residential, or those that haven’t been diverted, may apply by supplying location and other pertinent details.
Rao elaborated, “While the application fee is waived, there will be site inspections and confirmations by city officials. Additionally, an online payment of five per cent of the site’s guidance value will be required. Following city corporation commissioner approval, properties will be converted from B-khata to A-khata.”
For sites exceeding 2,000 sq metres, applications need to be submitted online via a registered architect or engineer through the BPAS portal. This process will involve site inspections, the submission of documents and CAD drawings, and a scrutiny fee of Rs 500.
Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, who oversees Bengaluru Development, announced a 100-day campaign starting November 1 to facilitate the conversion of B-khata properties to A-khata.
Shivakumar remarked, “The state government has made a historic decision to regularize B-khatas into A-khatas, benefiting 1.5 million property owners in Bengaluru. This revolutionary scheme will clean up the property market.” He inaugurated the online system at Vidhana Soudha.
He added that corporation officials would visit properties to assist in conversion, provided owners register online after paying a Rs 500 registration fee.
“Property owners must also pay five per cent of the current guidance value for the conversion, which will fund basic infrastructure in these areas. A higher fee will be established after the 100-day campaign,” he noted.
To streamline the process, two help desks will be available in each of the five city corporations.
Shivakumar noted that registrations could also occur at Bengaluru One, assuring property owners that no additional payments are required for the process.
“For the first time in Bengaluru, a uniform A-khata system has been established. We’ve resolved e-khata issues and digitized property records—initiatives not seen in the past 50 years. This is the sixth commitment from the government, restoring rights to citizens,” he stated.
According to Shivakumar, Bengaluru has 2.5 million properties, 750,000 of which are classified as B-khata, while another 700,000 are ineligible for B-khata.
He emphasized that only B-khata lands are eligible for regularization under this scheme.
Regarding the conversion of private roads to public roads, he expressed, “We consider a road to be a government road even if only one property borders it. Many gated communities did not transfer land designated for roads to the government, and we are rectifying this now.”
