Patna: Registration offices across Bihar are witnessing an unusually high footfall as people rush to complete property transactions before a possible increase in land registration rates from April 1.
Officials say the surge has led to extended working hours, with several offices remaining open until late evening or even into the night to accommodate the influx.
In Bihta, registrar Md Ejaz Hasan said the sudden rise in visitors was driven by concerns over a possible revision in circle rates. “Hundreds of people are arriving daily for registration, significantly increasing the workload. Our staff are working extended hours to ensure services are delivered on time,” he said.
A similar situation has been reported in Muzaffarpur, where more than 1,000 registration slots were booked, forcing offices to continue operations late into the night. Over the past week, the volume of transactions involving land, apartments and houses has reportedly increased fivefold compared with normal levels.
In Patna, the district registration office has been handling between 350 and 400 document registrations every day, generating an estimated revenue of Rs 50 crore. On Monday, the final working day before the close of the 2025–26 financial year, the office remained open until 10pm amid heavy crowds. A total of 375 documents were registered, yielding around Rs 7 crore in revenue.
According to officials, the Patna Sadar division has generated approximately Rs 675 crore in revenue so far this financial year.
Experts attribute the surge to widespread anticipation that land registration rates for property transactions may be revised upwards from April, prompting buyers and sellers to expedite documentation.
District authorities have responded by directing officials to fast-track processing. Patna district magistrate Thiyagarajan SM has instructed departments to ensure timely completion of registrations amid the increased demand.
The rush has highlighted the sensitivity of the real estate market to policy changes, with even the prospect of higher rates triggering a sharp spike in transactions across the state.
