Curation Team
GHAZIABAD: In a shift toward paperless, contact-free transactions, Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) issued its first fully online allotment letter this week, marking the official rollout of PAHAL (Public Access for Housing and Allotment Login), a platform designed to bring property-related services under one digital umbrella.
The move places GDA among the first urban authorities in UP to adopt a comprehensive online property allotment system.
“At every stage, we have worked to reduce human intervention,” GDA vice chairperson Atul Vats said. “PAHAL is one of the most transformative tools we’ve implemented so far. On Tuesday, the first allottee was able to complete the entire process online without having to visit our office even once.”
The allottee, who booked a 165 sqm commercial plot in the Indraprastha Housing Scheme for Rs 1.3 crore, received the official allotment letter via email — a process that would earlier have taken months of in-person visits and manual paperwork.
The PAHAL portal allows users to pay property dues, verify and view property details, download allotment letters, apply for mutation, and complete allotment registration online. It is also equipped to provide automated updates and reminders for due payments, helping property owners avoid fines and delays.
Before the digital shift, accessing property records meant navigating stacks of physical files, outdated maps and layers of bureaucracy. The process of compiling and verifying data for a single locality could stretch to seven months. PAHAL now offers instant access to this information, greatly reducing turnaround time and improving transparency.
Internally, GDA has also moved toward a paperless workflow through the e-office system. Earlier, a file concerning engineering or civic planning would pass physically from a junior engineer to an assistant engineer, onward to a nodal officer, and finally to the chief engineer. Now, all such processes are handled digitally, streamlining interdepartmental coordination and eliminating bureaucratic delays.
In another consumer-centric reform, GDA has introduced a slot-booking system for property registration, mirroring models used in passport and driving licence services. Applicants can choose their preferred date and time through the GDA portal. A checklist guides them through the necessary documents, and once scheduled, registry officials will be ready to process the transaction at the appointed time, eliminating long waits and reducing congestion at the office.
“With PAHAL, we are offering a modern, transparent, and citizen-friendly experience,” Vats said. “It’s not just about convenience; it’s about accountability and efficiency.”
