As of January 2026, TG-bPASS is permanently decommissioned. There is no fallback. Every new building permit application in Hyderabad and across Telangana must go through BuildNow — the state's fully AI-automated building and layout approval system.
If you are an architect, engineer, or developer working on projects in Hyderabad, this is not a system you can opt into gradually. Non-compliant submissions will not be accepted.
What BuildNow Is
BuildNow is Telangana's second-generation building approval platform, designed to replace TG-bPASS entirely. The core engine is AI-driven: it parses submitted drawings against Telangana's building rules and zoning regulations automatically, without a human plan scrutinizer reviewing your documents in the first pass.
The platform uses blockchain to record every approval stage, creating a tamper-proof audit trail. Approvals and objections are logged immutably — which also means discrepancies between submitted drawings and constructed buildings are far more auditable post-occupancy.
The headline claim from the state is striking: complex multi-tower high-rise projects (40+ floors) can receive approval in under 5 minutes through the AI scrutiny engine. In the legacy TG-bPASS system, the same review took weeks.
The Three-Tier Approval Framework
BuildNow routes applications through one of three tracks based on plot size and building type:
Tier 1 — Instant Registration
- Eligibility: Plots up to 75 sq yds, height up to 7 m
- Process: Instant registration for a ₹1 token fee
- No scrutiny required — the system registers the project against basic compliance parameters automatically
Tier 2 — Instant Approval
- Eligibility: Plots 75–500 sq m, residential up to 10 m height
- Process: Self-certification by the architect/engineer, instant system approval
- Implication: The professional certifying the drawings bears full legal responsibility. Errors in self-certified submissions expose the architect to liability under HMDA regulations.
Tier 3 — Single Window (Complex Projects)
- Eligibility: Plots above 500 sq m, commercial projects, high-rises
- Process: Multi-department review through a single interface with a mandated 21-day approval timeline
- Deemed approval clause: If no decision is issued within 21 days, the application is automatically deemed approved. This is a developer-friendly provision that removes the open-ended delay risk of the legacy system.
The DMV Plugin: Non-Optional
The most significant operational change for architects is the Drawing Measurement Verification (DMV) plugin.
The BuildNow AI engine does not accept standard PDF or DWG file submissions alone. Drawings must be prepared using the DMV plugin, which is currently compatible with:
- AutoCAD 2018–2026
- ZWCAD 2018–2026
The plugin embeds measurement metadata directly into the drawing file that the AI scrutiny engine reads. If your practice uses a different CAD platform — or an older version outside the supported range — drawings will be rejected at submission.
Action required: Verify your office's CAD version before submitting. If you are using software outside the supported range, plan the upgrade before your next Hyderabad project enters the design development phase.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
BuildNow's enforcement model is stricter than TG-bPASS:
- Plan deviations exceeding 10% attract a penalty of 25% of the land value. This is calculated on current guideline value, not acquisition cost — which can be substantial in Hyderabad's Kokapet, Raidurg, or Financial District micro-markets.
- Parking encroachment triggers a demolition order, not just a penalty. This is the hardest enforcement provision in the framework and applies without exception.
The blockchain audit trail makes post-occupancy verification more systematic. Inspectors will have AI-assisted tools to compare the approved plan against the constructed building — the tolerance for deviation is measurably lower than in the TG-bPASS era.
What This Means for Hyderabad Projects
For architects: Tier 2 self-certification is a double-edged provision. The speed benefit is real — instant approval vs. weeks of scrutiny. But the legal liability transfer is also real. Ensure your PI (Professional Indemnity) insurance is in place and current before certifying Tier 2 submissions.
For developers: The 21-day deemed-approval clause in Tier 3 is the most significant risk reduction in the new system. Project finance models can now be built with a capped approval timeline, rather than an open-ended wait. Factor this into construction schedule assumptions.
For planning consultants advising clients expanding from Bengaluru to Hyderabad: The regulatory frameworks are meaningfully different. HMDA and GHMC operate under Telangana's building rules, which diverge from Karnataka's GBA regulations on coverage ratios, parking requirements, and height calculations. Do not assume Bengaluru compliance templates transfer.
The Broader Signal
BuildNow is not an isolated experiment. It is a working proof-of-concept that other state governments — including Karnataka — are watching closely. BBMP and BDA have announced intentions to automate plan sanction. The Telangana model provides the blueprint.
Architects and developers who understand AI-assisted approval systems, their constraints, and their failure modes will have an operational advantage as this shift accelerates nationally.
Zoneity tracks building regulations across HMDA, GHMC, BDA, BBMP, and other planning authorities — including the specific parameters that AI scrutiny engines check against. Join the waitlist for early access.