Bengaluru: In a move aimed at cutting delays and reducing paperwork for homeowners, Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) Friday launched Nambike Nakshe 2.0, a fully automated building plan approval system under which eligible residential plans can receive sanctions in around 30 minutes instead of the current two to three months.Launched by Greater Bengaluru development minister Krishna Byre Gowda, the system will initially cover residential sites measuring up to 50×80 feet (4,000 sqft) with provision for up to four dwelling units. Officials said applications can be submitted online through qualified architects and, if the plans comply with applicable town planning regulations, approvals will be generated automatically without manual scrutiny.The new platform is expected to significantly reduce human intervention and documentation requirements. Applicants will no longer have to separately upload khata and several other property-related documents. Instead, once an e-khata number is entered, the system will automatically fetch ownership and property details from govt databases.Speaking at the launch, Byre Gowda said the objective was not merely to digitise the existing process, but to simplify it from the citizen’s perspective. “Citizens who comply with the rules should not have to spend months waiting for approval of their building plans or make repeated visits to govt 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.The minister said the system is based on a “Trust, but Verify” model, where compliant citizens and licensed architects are trusted while technology-driven checks ensure adherence to planning regulations. He added the online and automated nature of the process would also reduce the role of intermediaries and make approvals more transparent and predictable.Officials said the earlier version of Nambike Nakshe enabled online submission of building plan documents, but implementation experience revealed the need for greater simplification and faster service delivery. The latest version has been developed following directions from chief minister DK Shivakumar to make civic services more citizen-friendly.The system will initially be implemented on a pilot basis in selected areas under GBA and will be expanded after reviewing its performance. Authorities also plan to explore similar technology-driven approval mechanisms for larger residential and commercial projects in future phases.Byre Gowda, however, cautioned that misuse of the system would attract strict 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,” he said.
