Prospective homeowners in Kathmandu can now apply for a building construction permit online, as city authority formally launched electronic building permit system on Sunday.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Federal Affairs and Local Development Kamal Thapa inaugurated the new system, which is an e-governance initiative of Kathmandu Metropolitan City for effective implementation of National Building Code and urban settlement management. Earlier, it was being run as a pilot project in 14 wards of the metropolis.

The electronic building permit system or e-BPS is a web-based application which allows users to submit permit applications and required documents through municipality’s website, removing the hassles of lengthy paperwork, bureaucratic hurdles and regular visits to the municipality to track permit status. Alternately, the system also allows the municipality to check compliance of buildings with set standards and gather settlement data for planned urbanisation.