Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Monday, 9 November 2026, announced a 50 per cent reduction in regularisation fees for unauthorised buildings constructed on land acquired by the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) before 10 July 2008, offering direct relief to nearly one lakh property owners across Bengaluru. The announcement was made at a press conference following a review meeting on BDA projects at the authority's office in Bengaluru.

Why the Fee Cut Was Needed

The previous government had introduced a regularisation provision and fixed the applicable rates in 2021. However, the fees were widely considered prohibitive — a reality underscored by the fact that only around 600 of the nearly one lakh eligible owners had submitted applications. Shivakumar said the government had issued a fresh notification offering a 50 per cent concession on those rates to revive uptake and ensure the scheme actually reaches the people it was designed for.

Revised Fee Structure Explained

Under the revised structure — applicable to non-corner sites — properties measuring up to 20x30 feet will be charged 5 per cent of the prevailing guidance value. Sites between 20x30 feet and 30x40 feet attract a fee of 12.5 per cent; between 30x40 feet and 40x60 feet, the charge is 20 per cent; and between 40x60 feet and 50x80 feet, the fee is 25 per cent of guidance value. All rates are 50 per cent lower than those previously fixed. Applications must be submitted before 17 December 2026.

Shivakumar issued a clear warning alongside the concession: 'If the facility is not availed of within the two years, the buildings constructed on BDA land will be cleared,' he said. The window is available under an amendment to Section 38(D) of the relevant Act.

Key Initiatives Marking BDA's 50th Anniversary

The regularisation fee cut was one of several announcements made in connection with the BDA's 50th anniversary. Among the other measures:

Marginal land allotment: The BDA will allot marginal land — up to 600 square feet — available behind or adjacent to already-allotted sites. Interested owners can apply before 17 December 2026.

Clean Sale Deed Mela: Nearly 20,000 allottees whose lease periods have expired have still not obtained absolute sale deeds. To clear this backlog, the BDA will hold a dedicated mela. Applications with supporting documents may be submitted before 17 December 2026, and the BDA has committed to registering absolute sale deeds within 60 days of receiving applications.

Farmer land surrenders: The BDA has begun allotting 30x40 feet sites for every acre of land voluntarily surrendered without litigation in areas including Kempegowda Layout. A Wall of Gratitude has also been established — described by Shivakumar as the first of its kind in the country. The Chief Minister noted that allotment of sites to farmers who surrendered land for the Shivaram Karanth Layout was completed transparently in a single day, calling it a first in BDA's history.

Infrastructure and Governance Push

Marking the golden jubilee, the government has also drawn up plans to construct a one lakh square feet multi-purpose BDA building. Shivakumar framed the entire package under a 'Clean BDA' initiative aimed at delivering transparent governance to Bengaluru residents. The process for providing sites as a special incentive to surrendering landowners, he noted, had been pending since 2014 under the provisions of the 1989 Act.

With the December deadline now set, eligible property owners will need to act quickly — the government has signalled it does not intend to extend the window a third time.