Bengaluru: The state govt’s move to introduce automated land conversion is beginning to show results, with nearly 1,900 applications covering over 4,427 acres cleared for renewable energy projects since its rollout in Jan.Revenue department officials said applicants have paid more than Rs 15 crore in conversion fees, signalling strong investor interest. Tumakuru district has emerged as the frontrunner with 692 acres converted, followed closely by Gadag with 686 acres.Northern districts are leading the adoption of the system. Gadag and Bidar together account for around 25% of the total auto-converted land, covering over 1,100 acres. Other districts include Koppal with 342 acres, Vijayanagara (333 acres), Kalaburagi (244 acres) and Raichur (221 acres).For investors, the key change is speed. The new system has removed paperwork and in-person approvals, cutting down delays that were earlier a major concern.Rajender Kumar Kataria, additional chief secretary of the revenue department, said the simplified process is already making a difference.“Earlier, there were complaints about delays in conversion, and industrialists were showing interest in investing in neighbouring states. With the simplification of the process, Karnataka is now more attractive for investors. We are the first state in the country to adopt auto-conversion, and other states, including Maharashtra, are showing interest in replicating this model,” he said.The system, introduced on Jan 27, has seen steady uptake. Between then and April 2, the department received 1,893 applications, all of which have availed conversion under the new system. Officials said the faster clearances are expected to help renewable energy projects take off quicker, improving the state’s appeal as an investment destination.
