BDA’s records getting digitised, but not in its own backyard

The Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) has hired a private agency to digitise all its records, including land acquisition documents and site allotment certificates, at a total cost of about Rs 20 crore, more than twice the original estimate of Rs 8.25 crore. 

Intriguingly, the actual digitisation work is being carried out in Kengeri, about 15 km away from the BDA headquarters. 

According to sources, the BDA has provided office space in Kengeri’s Valagerahalli Commercial Complex to the private agency, Samvardhane Technologies Pvt Ltd, for scanning and digitising the records. 

As a result, old files — running into several lakh pages — are being regularly transported out of the BDA’s Vyalikaval office. 

In all likelihood, the digitisation work will continue until mid-2026, as the private agency is tasked with scanning and digitising all old records of the BDA, including town planning approvals, allotment of sites to the general public, civic amenities (CA) sites, land acquisition and compensation data among others. 

Since each page of these files is sensitive, there are concerns about allowing private agencies to transport the files out of the BDA headquarters. 

Some citizens questioned why the authorities did not provide space at the head office itself for the digitisation work, which could ensure the security of the files and eliminate the time wasted in transporting the documents. 

"The BDA has a history of misplacing important files or deliberately making mistakes to harass the general public. With such a background, what’s the guarantee that the private agency will do a good job of scanning and digitising files several miles away from the BDA headquarters, while ensuring that each page is intact?” a source asked. "There is a risk of files being tampered with." 

BDA Commissioner N Jayaram dismissed the concerns, saying the head office did not have sufficient space to facilitate scanning and digitisation. 

"Scanning is being carried out while ensuring that regular work is not obstructed. We are only sending the old files related to land acquisition, town planning, allotment of sites, etc,” he said. 

Sources within the government were not convinced by this response. "This is a serious issue. A private agency cannot be allowed to take the files outside government offices. It’s high time the BDA carries out the work within its premises,” said one.