From issuing planning permissions online to integrating its software with that of Greater Chennai Corporation and other local bodies within Chennai Metropolitan Area, the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) is going full throttle to digitise all its planning and approval processes.
The CMDA is also in the process of granting layout and subdivision approvals online. Builders claim that digitisation of approval processes would give a boost to the real estate sector in the city.
According to CMDA officials 670 applications have been received online since June last year and around 330 planning permissions (PP) have been issued. More than 63 permissions have been issued within 60 days this year, at the rate of almost one per day.
AdvtSome of the planning permissions were given within 20 days also and most of the applications were for residential buildings. Around 130 permissions issued in the last two months.
“It is a win-win situation for everyone. This will make the people happy as they will be able to get their dream homes quickly and will save a lot of time and money for the developers,” said minister of charitable endowments of Tamil Nadu P K Sekar Babu.
Though there were some hiccups due to incomplete applications and software issues, CMDA claims to have set things right. “The process has become easier as there is no manual intervention and files don’t remain at one table. Everything is transparent,” said a CMDA official.
The official added that the integration with GCC and local bodies for seamless issuing of building permits has also been completed. Earlier, after getting the planning nod through a tedious process, the applicant was forced to physically visit corporation or local body offices to apply for building permission. “Soon we will also be issuing layout permissions online. It was done manually, and was tedious and time-consuming,” the official added.
Vimesh P, Senior vice-president, marketing, Casagrand, said that online approvals will help speed up construction and approvals for developers who earlier used to put in efforts in paperwork.
AdvtHe explained that online approval helps to address the plan corrections and resubmission without delay. Thereby, reducing approval time by 50%.
“For homebuyers, the initiative will ensure transparency as buyers can check approval status. Moreover, with the plan permit and building permit seamlessly linked, digital documentation will also enable an organised system of maintaining records, eliminating the risk of losing documents,” he said.
P Kruthivas, secretary, CREDAI Chennai, said, “This will give a boost to the real estate sector. The home buyer can get his house quickly.”
