Tamil Nadu- CMDA can now approve the multi storied buildings, the applications need not go to government

The planning permission applications to be submitted to the government as per the existing regulation has been scraped to expedite the approval process for multi storied buildings.

The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) has been given more power so henceforth it alone could place approvals for all multi-storied buildings above 18 metres height.

The planning permission applications to be submitted to the government as per the existing regulation has been scraped to expedite the approval process for multi storied buildings.

“The delegation of powers to DTCP’s subordinate officers is also a welcome step,” S Sreedharan, managing director, Sabari foundation said. The industry has also welcomed the change.

Reiterating 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.”

The CMDA now plans to focus on planning big-ticket development projects and the third master plan in a bid to re-branding itself from being a mere permission issuing authority. It has lined up projects worth Rs 630 crore for the city that were announced at the assembly on Wednesday and will spend Rs 200 crore each for grid roads and street alignments, Rs 100 crore each for waterbody development and 100 crore for making 30 km of Chennai’s coastline including the Marina Beach making it a blue beach conforming to international standards.

Hitesh Kumar S Makwana, secretary, HUDD pointed that these development initiatives will bring a paradigm shift for the housing and urban development in the city where the focus will be on capacity 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 bachelor’s 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.