Karnataka has rolled out auto-conversion of land in Bengaluru, aimed at both ease of doing business and ease of life for common man.
Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda explains to ET what the auto-conversion reform means for citizens as well as land developers, and how it will cut delays and control corruption.
Landowners, who are developers, can now directly apply for plan approval as per the Master Plan, and the land conversion will happen automatically as part of the plan approval process.
As per the Master Plan provisions, conversion from B Khata to A Khata for existing individual property owners is also now enabled by law. This will bring big relief to lakhs of B Khata site owners within the GBA region.
The auto-conversion in master plan areas will promote planned development and improve ease of doing business. Our initiative will (a) Eliminate delays and harassment (b) Reduce corruption and discretion. (c) Cut development costs and timelines, (d) Promote transparent, time-bound processes.
This reform will support faster, legal, and more affordable land development, benefiting both developers and public site buyers.
Getting an A Khata will (a) Strengthens legal ownership (b) Enables access to bank loans (c) Increases property value (d) Simplifies transactions and approvals.
By integrating auto-conversion with E-Khata and digitised land records, the government aims to reduce litigation and provide greater certainty in property ownership.
In my opinion, auto-conversion under the master plan is a bold and transformative reform that simplifies one of the most complex and corruption-prone processes in land development. By addressing the problem at its source, the government is strengthening governance, improving compliance, and laying the foundation for sustainable urban growth.
Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda explains to ET what the auto-conversion reform means for citizens as well as land developers, and how it will cut delays and control corruption.
Can you explain the auto conversion of land?
Our government has done away with the requirement for separate land conversion in areas covered under the published master plan (CDP) within the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) region. (The GBA region consists of five city corporations of North, South, Central, East and West Bengaluru).Landowners, who are developers, can now directly apply for plan approval as per the Master Plan, and the land conversion will happen automatically as part of the plan approval process.
As per the Master Plan provisions, conversion from B Khata to A Khata for existing individual property owners is also now enabled by law. This will bring big relief to lakhs of B Khata site owners within the GBA region.
What led you to introduce these changes?
Earlier, even lands falling within the master plan required separate conversion, despite the concept of “deemed conversion.” This process typically took four to six months and often led to delays, harassment, corruption, and increased costs due to middlemen. These inefficiencies ultimately burdened site buyers and brought disrepute to government institutions, particularly the revenue department.The auto-conversion in master plan areas will promote planned development and improve ease of doing business. Our initiative will (a) Eliminate delays and harassment (b) Reduce corruption and discretion. (c) Cut development costs and timelines, (d) Promote transparent, time-bound processes.
This reform will support faster, legal, and more affordable land development, benefiting both developers and public site buyers.
How will B Khata owners benefit?
The enabling provision for auto-conversion provides a legal framework to convert B Khata properties into A Khata. This will help lakhs of property owners who purchased unauthorised sites in the past.Getting an A Khata will (a) Strengthens legal ownership (b) Enables access to bank loans (c) Increases property value (d) Simplifies transactions and approvals.
By integrating auto-conversion with E-Khata and digitised land records, the government aims to reduce litigation and provide greater certainty in property ownership.
What do you think are larger benefits?
As urbanisation accelerates, demand for urban properties will continue to rise. We at the government remain committed to facilitating planned development while, at the same time, ensuring affordable access to land and housing.In my opinion, auto-conversion under the master plan is a bold and transformative reform that simplifies one of the most complex and corruption-prone processes in land development. By addressing the problem at its source, the government is strengthening governance, improving compliance, and laying the foundation for sustainable urban growth.
