Doha:The Survey and Land Registration Bureau has announced an enhancement to its building age verification service, reducing the processing time to just one working day. This service is crucial for representatives of the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture, allowing them to verify the age of buildings over 50 years old before demolition permits are issued, especially when official records lack the necessary information.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the streamlined service aims to preserve buildings with architectural and historical significance while improving the efficiency of demolition permit procedures. The new process is fully electronic, eliminating the need for postal correspondence and paper documents, allowing applicants to track requests and access technical reports directly through the system.
The improvements have reduced the processing time from three days to one day and halved the number of required documents. Additionally, the service-level agreement timeframe has been reduced by at least 25%, and the application process now involves a maximum of four steps. The upgrade also introduces a fully digital process, a more user-friendly interface, simplified procedures, electronic application forms, and consistent service information across official channels.
Naji Sabt Salem, Director General of Survey at the Bureau, stated that the upgrade would enhance coordination between government entities and provide faster, more accurate information access. This supports decisions on demolition permits and enhances government service delivery. Salem emphasized that the service aids in implementing laws concerning buildings over 50 years old, which are part of Bahrain's architectural heritage. This age determination is crucial for issuing demolition permits, especially when construction records are incomplete or missing.
In line with ongoing efforts to improve public services, over 1,300 government services have been documented, translated, and published, with 800 undergoing development and re-engineering. These enhancements are based on feedback from the national Tawasul suggestions and complaints system, investor feedback, and mystery shopper reports. The initiatives include guidance manuals and service-level agreements to streamline procedures, improve service quality, enhance user experience, and advance government digital transformation.