History and Implementation of eBPS in Kirtipur Municipality
E-BPS An Electronic - Building Permit System (PISU/RFP/006/2012 – CDRMP/UNDP) is a project initiated by UNDP's Comprehensive Disaster Risk Management Program (CDRMP) which aims to provide support in the areas of Institutional and Legal systems within Disaster Risk Management (DRM), Climate Risk Management (CRM), Community-based Disaster Risk Management, and Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) systems.
History and Implementation of eBPS in Kirtipur Municipality
Kirtipur Municipality has long committed itself to modern, transparent, and citizen-centric service delivery. One of the most significant milestones in this transformation journey has been the successful implementation of the Electronic Building Permit System (eBPS)—a move that revolutionized building permit processes, improved governance, and enhanced public satisfaction.
Early Days and Background
The foundation for digital transformation in Kirtipur was laid in year 2071 (B.S.), when UNDP’s Comprehensive Disaster Risk Management Programme (CDRMP) deployed a technical expert to support the municipality in implementing the Nepal National Building Code (NBC).
Shortly thereafter, on 12th Baisakh 2072 B.S., the Great Gorkha Earthquake struck Nepal. The disaster exposed serious weaknesses in building practices and municipal systems across the country, underlining the need for safer construction methods and a streamlined regulatory mechanism at the local level.
At that time, the building permit process in Kirtipur was entirely manual. Physical files were poorly organized, frequently misplaced, and difficult to retrieve. Public complaints were common, and municipal staff found it challenging to manage or track permits effectively.
Digitization and the Birth of eBPS
To address these issues, Kirtipur Municipality formed a dedicated internal team. The team began by digitizing thousands of unmanaged physical files, scanning and archiving them in a structured digital format. This foundational step was crucial in preparing the municipality for full digital adoption.
During this time, the team learned that Kathmandu Metropolitan City and Lalitpur Metropolitan City were piloting a digital system called the Electronic Building Permit System (eBPS). Encouraged by their progress, Kirtipur Municipality proposed implementing the same system locally and approached UNDP for support.
Initially, the proposal was rejected due to skepticism about whether a smaller municipality like Kirtipur could implement what larger cities were still struggling with. However, due to persistent effort, technical readiness, and strong vision, UNDP approved the request. In 2073 B.S., Kirtipur began sharing a server with Lalitpur and successfully launched eBPS within three months.
Challenges During the Initial Phase
In the early phase, despite launching the online system, the municipality still required physical file submissions. Applicants and designers had to submit complete sets of documents both online and as hard copies, which created duplicated work and confusion.
Moreover, designers were reportedly charging higher fees, citing the increased workload of preparing both online and offline submissions. These issues caused frustration among service recipients and highlighted the need to fully digitize the system—including legal authentication.
Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) Integration
To address these challenges, the municipality explored the use of Digital Signature Certificates (DSC). The aim was to eliminate paper files entirely and legally authenticate all documents submitted online.
The municipal team visited the Office of the Controller of Certification, under the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, to understand DSC regulations. Based on their guidance, Kirtipur integrated DSC into the eBPS system using a form-signing method.
Initially, this integration seemed successful. However, it was soon discovered that form-based digital signatures could not be verified externally, particularly by banks or other agencies. As a result, these institutions began requesting additional official stamps from the municipality to verify the documents—causing setbacks for applicants.
Technical Research and Upgrades
To resolve the verification issue, the municipality resumed research and held consultations with IT teams from government institutions that had practical experience using digital signatures.
The municipal team visited the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) and Nepal Post (Hulak Office)—not just to meet the officials, but to engage directly with their IT teams who had implemented DSC systems internally. Through these technical discussions, the municipality gained valuable insights.
Based on the findings, the team decided to transition from form signing to PDF-based digital signing within the eBPS platform. This shift enabled external parties to verify digital signatures easily, removing the need for physical stamps or additional authentication.
Current Status and Impact
Today, Kirtipur Municipality stands as a national leader in local e-governance and digital transformation. The impact of eBPS has been substantial:
- More than 3,700 building permits have been issued completely online—without any paper files.
- Architectural and structural drawings, as well as documents, are submitted and signed digitally, saving paper, time, and resources.
- The municipality has eliminated the need for physical storage, as digital archiving ensures that no file is ever lost or misplaced.
- The system has resolved past issues of missing, untraceable files—a common problem before digital adoption.
- Public users can now track applications in real-time, improving transparency and accountability.
- Citizens experience faster processing times, reduced bureaucracy, and fewer visits to the municipal office.
Despite progress, the team continues to face and address technical challenges:
- Some DSC renewals fail due to server-side issues.
- Files larger than 2 MB sometimes encounter signing errors.
Kirtipur Municipality is currently exploring new technologies and working with national agencies to further improve reliability and user experience.
Conclusion
The implementation of eBPS in Kirtipur Municipality represents a transformative leap in municipal governance. From an office with untraceable paper files to a fully digital, verifiable, and legally compliant permit system, the journey reflects innovation, perseverance, and commitment to public service.
Kirtipur’s model serves as a best-practice example for municipalities across Nepal aiming to embrace digital governance, enhance transparency, and deliver citizen-centric services.
Contact Details
Address: Barkhahiti, Naya Bazaar, Kirtipur - 10 (बर्खाहिटी, नयाँबजार, कीर्तिपुर - १०)
Phone: 014331381
Email: ict.munkirtipur@gmail.com
Website: www.kirtipurmun.gov.np
http://ebps.kirtipurmun.gov.np/
गुगल प्लस कोडः- M7JF+V3 Kirtipur
