BMC claims it has reformed the building approvals department and has thrown an open challenge to anyone to prove otherwise. The challenge remains open till March 31.
Several developers and architects spoke to acknowledged things had improved, but they said it wasn’t as significant as is being made out. No one was willing to go on record though.
“Seven officers scrutinise every proposal and it is entirely discretionary. There are so many rejections and time lost on account of this is not accounted for,” said an architect.
However, another architect said linking of property cards to the BMC’s land use maps has made the task much easier. A developer said there was more transparency now. “One can see all files and reasons for concessions being granted or rejected by the municipal commissioner.
“There is a visible change in speed and action, though to say it is perfect would be far-fetched,” Niranjan Hiranandani, national president, NAREDCO, said.