In a landmark decision that promises to transform urban governance and bring relief to countless families, Karnataka's Cabinet has approved an ambitious initiative to regularize 1 million properties across the state's cities. This progressive move will grant A-khata certificates to properties in urban areas outside Bengaluru, marking a significant step toward inclusive urban development.

The initiative extends to vibrant cities including Mysuru, Mangaluru, and Belagavi, touching the lives of families who have been living with uncertainty about their property status. For many homeowners, this decision represents not just legal validation, but peace of mind and the ability to fully participate in their communities.

"This is about bringing people into the system and creating opportunities for better urban planning," explained Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil. The government's approach focuses on correcting past irregularities while simultaneously strengthening the framework for future development.

The regularization program builds on a successful pilot launched in Greater Bengaluru in November 2025, which offered a streamlined 100-day conversion process. The positive response to that initiative demonstrated the community's eagerness to formalize their properties and contribute to orderly urban growth.

Beyond providing security to individual property owners, this initiative carries exciting implications for urban development across Karnataka. By bringing properties into the legal framework, local governments will see increased revenues that can be reinvested into infrastructure, public services, and community amenities. This creates a virtuous cycle where regularization leads to better resources, which in turn enables municipalities to undertake ambitious development projects.

The Cabinet's decision was informed by careful study and recommendations from a committee led by the Directorate of Municipal Administration. This thoughtful approach ensures that the regularization process is fair, transparent, and designed to prevent future unauthorized developments. The established criteria provide clear guidelines while maintaining flexibility to address genuine cases.

For urban local bodies across the state, this represents an opportunity for financial empowerment and enhanced planning capabilities. With clearer property records and increased revenues, these municipalities will be better positioned to serve their growing populations and address infrastructure needs that have long been deferred.

The government has emphasized that this initiative aims to "control unauthorized developments and bring citizen-friendly reforms" into the administrative system. By establishing proper oversight and bringing properties under official purview, authorities can better plan for sustainable growth while preventing the proliferation of unauthorized developments in the future.

Property owners who participate in the regularization program will gain not only legal recognition but also improved access to civic services, easier property transactions, and enhanced property values. This formal recognition opens doors to better financing options and removes the uncertainty that has shadowed many families.

As Karnataka takes this bold step forward, it demonstrates how progressive policy can address historical challenges while building stronger foundations for the future. The initiative balances compassion for existing property owners with the need for orderly urban development, creating a model that other states may well follow.

This is governance that works for people—acknowledging realities on the ground while charting a path toward better-planned, more inclusive cities where every resident has a legitimate stake in their community's future.