The Confederation of Real Estate Developers’ Association of India (CREDAI) has urged the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to implement a phased rollout of the e-khata system to address operational inefficiencies affecting the real estate sector. The mandatory e-khata process, introduced on 1 October for over 22 lakh properties, has caused significant disruptions, with a reported 60% drop in property registrations and an estimated revenue loss of ₹8,000 crore for developers in Bengaluru.
Amar Mysore, President of CREDAI Bengaluru, highlighted the disparity between BBMP and panchayat areas, where e-khata has been functional with fewer issues. Mysore, also an executive director at Brigade Group, stressed the need for a scalable approach to avoid delays. “The system lacks urgency-based processing, leaving NRIs and mortgage applicants in limbo, while some sellers face capital gains tax due to registration delays,” he said. Despite these challenges, he commended the initiative’s potential to curb fraudulent transactions but criticised the absence of stakeholder engagement and workforce preparedness before the public launch.
Urban connectivity improvements have amplified real estate activity in Bengaluru, making operational hiccups in e-khata a pressing civic issue. According to Mysore, document uploads and verifications remain slow, with revenue officers taking undue time despite the completion of necessary formalities. CREDAI is collaborating with BBMP and software developers to streamline processes, but new challenges continue to emerge, reflecting the need for sustained dialogue and technological refinement.
From a sustainability perspective, a digitised e-khata system is an eco-friendly alternative to manual paperwork, reducing physical resource use. However, the initiative’s success hinges on resolving bottlenecks to ensure equitable access and seamless integration, fostering transparency in property transactions while supporting Bengaluru’s broader urban development goals. BBMP’s upcoming parallel system for sub-registrar office delays could offer much-needed relief.
