Nearly 2,000 applications for building plan approvals have been denied following a recent Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) directive stating that approvals will only be granted if local planning authorities have sanctioned the development plan for individual plots.

BBMP officials reported receiving around 1,000 building plan applications monthly. Nearly 2,000 applications that had been pending since last month were all rejected, with applicants instructed to secure the necessary approvals.

In response, a group of registered engineers has urged the BBMP to reconsider the order in the public's interest.

According to the order issued on October 3 by BBMP Chief Commissioner Tushar Giri Nath, there are no restrictions on approving plans for properties with City Title Survey (CTS) numbers, those transferred from municipal councils, plots listed in the A-khata registry, layouts approved by the Bangalore Development Authority, properties with existing plan approvals seeking revisions, and plots assigned to beneficiaries by government bodies.

Prasanna BC, a recognized engineer, indicated that properties in the BBMP's core areas—east, west, and south zones—will likely remain unaffected, as most can obtain building plan approvals. However, over 60% of property owners in Bommanahalli, Mahadevapura, RR Nagar, Dasarahalli, and Yelahanka zones may face difficulties due to the recent BBMP order.

""Only 30-40% of layouts in these zones have been approved by BDA, KHB, and other planning authorities, leaving 60-70% without necessary approvals,"" he stated.

Engineer Kiran DS noted that even small plot owners (such as those with 20ft x 30ft and 30ft x 40ft plots) will require BDA approval, which is unattainable because 10% of the property must be surrendered for civic amenities.

Engineers argue that low-income and middle-class individuals cannot halt construction just because BBMP approval is lacking, leading to unregulated building activity. This could result in BBMP missing out on potential property tax revenue, as compliant property owners may refrain from development.

The engineers believe that BBMP could reverse these decisions if the state government amends the Karnataka Town and Country Planning Act of 1961. A team of architects plans to highlight the implications of the BBMP order to the government and advocate for easier building plan approval processes.

Concerns have also been raised that the new order may facilitate developments detrimental to property owners. ""Many property owners in unapproved layouts obtained A-khata by paying betterment charges. Now, these properties will also be denied building plan approvals without single plot/layout permissions, reverting their A-khata to B-khata,"" explained Prasanna.