The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) has got more teeth, as henceforth it alone would accord approvals for all multi-storied buildings above 18 metres also.
The existing regulation to submit the planning permission applications to the government has been done away with. It will expedite approval process for multi storied building.
The industry has welcomed the change. “The delegation of powers to DTCP’s subordinate officers is also a welcome step,” S Sreedharan, managing director, Sabari foundation.
Pointing out that CMDA is a cash-rich development and planning agency, he said: “The decision to spend their money for developmental projects is a good step. But they should focus on getting more staff, as, otherwise, the planning process will get affected.”
On its part, the CMDA has lined up projects worth Rs 630 crore for the city, that were announced at the assembly on Wednesday. Re-branding itself from being a mere permission issuing authority, the CMDA now plans to focus on planning big-ticket development projects and the third master plan.
It will spend Rs 200 crore each for grid roads and street alignments, Rs 100 crore each for waterbody development and 100cr for making 30km of Chennai’s coastline including the Marina Beach making it a blue beach conforming to international standards.
Hitesh Kumar S Makwana, secretary, HUDD said these initiatives will be a paradigm shift for the housing and urban development where they focussed on capscity building, train officials, add more capable planners and ensure the future pool of planners gets ready to meet the future challenges of the urban areas.
“We are introducing a bachelors course in planning within the School of Architecture and Planning at Anna University from this academic year and allocated 10cr for this. We also will improve the service rules for planners to enable them to serve in urban development and other statutory bodies such as urban habitat development board, TNHB and local bodies,” said Makwana.
Anshul Mishra, member-secretary CMDA, said they would work with the environment department and local bodies to make the cities more livable.