Wed Dec 25 03:58:35 UTC 2024: **Bengaluru’s BDA Faces Accusations of Corruption and Delays in Building Plan Approvals**
Bengaluru, December 25, 2024 – The Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) is facing criticism for its slow and allegedly corrupt building plan approval process. While the city’s Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has implemented a streamlined online system, the BDA continues to rely on a cumbersome manual system, leading to significant delays and accusations of bribery.
Property owners report waiting months for approvals, far exceeding the mandated 21 days. One applicant, Ramesh Kumar J. (name changed), claimed he had to pay a ₹20,000 bribe to an agent to secure approval within 20 days. The agent allegedly passed on a significant portion to BDA officials. Multiple sources indicate a widespread pattern of officials demanding bribes to expedite approvals, with those refusing facing harassment and further delays. The lack of transparency in the process makes it difficult for applicants to track their applications.
In contrast, the BBMP’s online system and its “Nambike Nakshe” initiative – which pre-approves plans from empanelled architects – have significantly reduced processing times and minimized corruption. Citizens and urban planners are now calling on the BDA to adopt similar reforms.
A senior BDA official acknowledged the issues and stated that the authority is working to digitize the process to improve transparency. They also claim to have instructed officials to process applications within 48 hours and urged citizens to report any instances of bribery or delay directly to the BDA, rather than using intermediaries. However, the persistent allegations of corruption raise serious concerns about the effectiveness of these measures.
First Piper 