Chennai: Builders in Chennai are facing a double whammy in securing building approvals. On the one hand, local bodies, including Greater Chennai Corporation, have not updated the single-window planning portal’s software to reflect the Tamil Nadu govt’s latest regulatory relaxations; on the other, recurring technical glitches in the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority’s (CMDA) existing portal are stalling applications at various stages.Developers say the twin problems are defeating the objective of faster clearances, with delays affecting project schedules, increasing financing costs and holding up new launches.Nearly a month ago, the govt rolled out GOs 179, 180, and 194, introduced third-party certification, enhanced the approval powers of local bodies, and increased permissible building heights in certain categories. However, the changes are yet to be incorporated into the online planning permission system.GO 179 allows registered architects and Grade-I engineers to certify specified residential, commercial and industrial buildings. GO 180 delegates approval powers to local bodies for residential projects up to 1,500sqm FSI and commercial buildings up to 500sqm FSI. GO 194 revises building height limits from 18.3m to 19.5m and amends road width, setback and parking rules.“The govt should have updated the software of the portal before rolling out the portal. More than 1,000 proposals are stuck in limbo. We are unable to submit proposals under the revised provisions and access the intended relaxations,” S Ramaprabhu, from the Builders’ Association of India (BAI).Greater Chennai Corporation commissioner G S Sameeran said that the update will be done soon.Meanwhile, developers are facing problems with CMDA’s existing online approval system. CREDAI Chennai, in a representation dated Oct 26 to CMDA, listed technical difficulties involving application submission, uploading documents and revised drawings, statutory NOCs, payment of charges, and tracking application status. It also flagged delays in completion certificate acknowledgements and access to essential services.“The glitches are recurring and are not confined to particular applications. Problems persist at almost every stage-initial submission, scrutiny, fee payment, receipt generation, digital signature and issue of planning permission, as well as completion certificate applications and their subsequent approval,” said a developer.He added that even after obtaining completion certificates, developers approaching the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) for connections are being told that infrastructure development charges payable by CMDA have not been transferred. “The govt has to intervene ensure that applicants are not charged interest or penalties when delays are caused solely by technical failures of the portal or related systems,” he added.A senior CMDA official said that a special team headed by the chief planner and senior planner – e -governance – has been formed to sort out the issues. “In parallel, we are also floating a tender for a new AI-based online PPA,” the official added.
