Bhutan launches Zhichar digital system for spatial plans and buildings

The Department of Human Settlement, under Bhutan’s Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, has launched Zhichar, the nation’s first integrated digital system for spatial plans and buildings. The platform is designed to unify previously disconnected data systems, including spatial plan boundaries, building stock registries, land cadastre data, and tax records.

Zhichar enables a paperless process for the submission, review, and approval of building plans. It allows property owners to manage and correct records online and provides real-time validation of plot boundaries and ownership through integration with the National Land Commission Services. The system also automates the registration of approved buildings into the national building stock and shares data with the Property Tax System for consistent valuation. Additionally, the platform includes an Emergency Shelter Preparedness Module and secure APIs for inter-agency data sharing.