Getting clearances for buildings just got simpler with the state govt setting deadlines for 11 departments to issue no-objection certificates (NOCs). If a department misses the deadline (15 days for some, 30 for others), NOC will be deemed as given.
Home buyers and developers welcomed the system that enables clearances through a single-window portal that cuts red tape.
Since launching online plan permission in May 2022, Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) has been approving an average of 70 plans a month, with more than 70 high-rise buildings approved annually. This is nearly double the annual number before 2022, said CMDA officials.Earlier, getting approvals took at least six months to two years, mostly because of delay in getting NOCs. Last month, Tamil Nadu housing and urban development department issued an order assigning deadlines for approvals.
“There are 24 departments, including state and Union agencies, responsible for issuing NOCs for buildings, layouts, and subdivision approvals in the Chennai Metropolitan Area. These departments have been integrated with the single-window,” said a CMDA official.
Following a recommendation by CMDA member secretary Anshul Mishra, the govt identified 11 departments including geology & mining, WRD, CMRL, TNHB, and fire and rescue services to provide deemed NOCs. Nine departments must issue NOCs within 30 days, while the state highways department and fire and rescue services (non-highrise buildings) have a 15-day timeline.
“The first seven days will be for inspection and three days for document scrutiny. The applicant must then submit the documents within 10 days. The department must issue NOC within the next 10 days, or it will be deemed approved. The system will alert the department head via SMS on the day a deemed NOC is issued. The planning permission shall include a clause to specifically mention that the planning permission is being granted based on the deemed NOC,” explained a CMDA official.
For high-rise buildings, approvals are needed from fire services, Airports Authority of India (for buildings over 30.5 meters or 10 floors), CMRL (if near metro alignments), and WRD (if near water bodies).Buildings between 12 and 18 meters tall also require NOCs from fire services, CMRL and WRD. NOCs from these departments previously took months to come.
S Sridharan, vice president, Credai national, south, welcomed the new system which he said was a long-pending demand of developers. “This will have a positive impact on the housing industry. Residential, IT, commercial, and manufacturing segments will benefit from this move. The speedy approval process will attract large investments from other states to TN,” he said.
