Bengaluru: Even as the govt promotes vertical growth to meet rising urban housing demand, developers say prolonged approval delays and procedural bottlenecks continue to hamper project execution and affect home deliveries.Over the past few months, Karnataka has relaxed occupancy certificate (OC) norms, first exempting residential buildings on plots of up to 1,200 sqft from the mandatory OC requirement for electricity connections, and later extending the exemption to plots of up to 2,400 sqft, provided they have approved building plans and meet basic compliance requirements. The state has also been pushing for faster, system-driven online approvals to reduce delays in building plan sanctions.Despite these reforms, builders contend that many projects continue to face uncertainty and delays in obtaining OCs, with larger developments often encountering longer processing timelines.Credai Karnataka has approached the chief minister and the minister for urban development, urging measures to address delays in approvals that are affecting housing projects across the state.Bhaskar T Nagendrappa, president of Credai Karnataka chapter, said: “The Town Planning Act mandates monthly local planning authority meetings to clear approvals, but delays of several months in cities like Ballari and Mysuru are disrupting project sanctions, delaying home deliveries, and causing hardship to builders and homebuyers. We raised the issue with the ministers, who assured positive consideration and asked us to submit a detailed representation, which will be submitted next week.”Builders told TOI that issues such as e-khata delays, contradictory rules creating procedural deadlocks, irregular planning meetings, and delays in sanctions and occupancy certificates are affecting cash flow and investor confidence. They also flagged lengthy NOCs, conditional clearances from utility agencies and prolonged approvals from departments such as fire services, pollution control and civil aviation, and called for fixed timelines, streamlined processes and better coordination to support vertical growth and timely project delivery.A builder said: “Development approvals shifting from BDA to GBA and frequent bylaw changes have delayed sanctions, forcing redraws and resubmissions. Six of my projects in Jakkur, Electronics City and Sarjapur Road are pending for six months which earlier used to be done in 15 days to two months.”quotesVivek Garg, founding director, NVT Quality LifestyleWhat the sector now needs is a truly integrated single-window clearance mechanism that brings all approvals under one umbrella. If approvals can be consolidated and processed within a three-month timeframe, it would be transformative for the industry. Developers incur significant holding costs and reducing approval timelines could lower overall project costs by at least 15-20%Kiran Venugopal, managing director and CEO, Bricks and MilestonesThe new system has done little to improve approval timelines. Delays affect every stage of a project, disrupting planning and cost estimates. Occupancy certificates are often delayed, which in turn holds up electricity connections and possession of homes. This impacts buyers’ finances as well as their schooling and relocation plans. The only solution is a faster, more streamlined approvals processAnuj Sanjay Jain, director of SNN BuildersA better streamlined and predictable approval process will benefit everyone involved. Developers are not seeking special concessions but greater clarity and consistency in sanctions, occupancy certificates and related approvals. Reducing delays and simplifying procedures will also support the state’s broader urban development goalsRamani Sastri, chairman and managing director Sterling DevelopersStreamlining these processes, reducing duplication and introducing accountability in approvals will improve ease-of-doing business without compromising regulatory oversight. At the same time, enforcement should focus on preventing genuinely illegal developments rather than creating procedural hurdles for compliant projects. A more efficient and predictable system would benefit developers, homebuyers and the broader growth of the city
