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The Tamil Nadu government has simplified the building clearance process by establishing deadlines for 11 departments to issue no-objection certificates (NOCs). If deadlines are missed, NOCs will be automatically granted. This new system, integrated into a single-window portal, has significantly reduced the time taken for approvals. Since May 2022, the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority has been approving an average of 70 plans monthly. The changes are expected to positively impact various sectors and attract significant investments to the region.
The process of obtaining clearances for buildings has become more straightforward, as the state government has established deadlines for 11 departments to issue no-objection certificates (NOCs). If a department fails to meet the deadline 15 days for some and 30 for others the NOC will automatically be considered granted. Home buyers and developers have expressed their approval of the new system, which allows for clearances through a single-window portal, significantly reducing bureaucratic hurdles. Advertisement
Since the introduction of online plan permissions in May 2022, the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) has been approving an average of 70 plans each month, with more than 70 high-rise buildings sanctioned annually. This represents nearly double the annual approvals before 2022, according to CMDA officials.
Previously, obtaining approvals could take anywhere from six months to two years, primarily due to delays in securing NOCs. Recently, the Tamil Nadu housing and urban development department issued an order mandating deadlines for these approvals.
A CMDA official noted that 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 now been integrated into a single-window system.
Following a recommendation from CMDA member secretary Anshul Mishra, the government identified 11 departments, including geology and mining, the Water Resources Department (WRD), Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL), Tamil Nadu Housing Board (TNHB), and fire and rescue services, which will provide deemed NOCs. Nine of these departments are required to issue NOCs within 30 days, while the state highways department and fire and rescue services (for non-high-rise buildings) have a 15-day timeline.
A CMDA official explained that the first seven days will be allocated for inspection, followed by three days for document scrutiny. The applicant must then submit the necessary documents within 10 days. The department is obligated to issue the NOC within the subsequent 10 days; otherwise, it will be deemed approved. The system will notify the department head via SMS on the day a deemed NOC is issued. The planning permission will explicitly state that it is granted based on the deemed NOC.
For high-rise buildings, approvals must be obtained from fire services, the Airports Authority of India (for structures exceeding 30.5 metres or 10 floors), CMRL (if located near metro alignments), and WRD (if close to water bodies). Buildings ranging from 12 to 18 metres tall are also required to secure NOCs from fire services, CMRL, and WRD. Obtaining NOCs from these departments previously involved lengthy delays.
S. Sridharan, vice president of CREDAI National, South, praised the new system, describing it as a long-standing demand from developers. He mentioned that this development will have a positive impact on the housing industry, with residential, IT, commercial, and manufacturing sectors likely to benefit. He added that the expedited approval process is expected to attract significant investments from other states to Tamil Nadu.
The newly implemented streamlined process for obtaining building clearances in Chennai is a crucial step towards reducing bureaucratic delays and fostering a more efficient approval system. With clear deadlines for NOC issuance and the integration of multiple departments into a single-window system, the state aims to enhance the construction landscape. This initiative not only benefits developers and homebuyers but is also likely to stimulate growth across various sectors, making Tamil Nadu an attractive destination for investments.
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