The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has implemented new measures to curb bribery and reduce bureaucratic delays. As part of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government's initiatives, the town planning department has been directed to issue planning permissions and building permits within a maximum of 27 days. Officials are now prohibited from summoning applicants, architects, or engineers to their offices during the scrutiny process. All necessary payments must be made exclusively online.
Key Directives for Streamlined Approvals
GCC Commissioner Dr G S Sameeran informed the Times of India that this step aims to ensure time-bound service delivery, avoid delays, and maintain transparency. Under the powers delegated by the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA), GCC issues building approvals for residential buildings up to two floors, commercial buildings up to three floors, and industries or institutions with a height of up to 18.3 meters and unlimited built-up area. The corporation processes approximately 550 to 600 planning permissions and building permits each month.
Detailed Timeline for Application Processing
According to the new order, Assistant Executive Engineers (AEEs) must inspect the site within seven days of an application being submitted online. They are required to upload their inspection report to the GCC portal within the following two days. The submitted documents must then be scrutinized within five days. If officials need additional information, the request must be communicated through the online portal, and applicants will be given seven days to respond. The entire process, including communications and grievance redress, will be handled online.
The order specifically prohibits AEEs from calling applicants, building owners, registered engineers, or architects to their offices during the approval process. Once all valid documents are submitted, the application must be approved within three working days. Payment of fees must be done online, after which executive engineers must digitally sign the approved plans and permits within 24 hours, enabling applicants to immediately access them online.
Maximum Processing Times
Thus, applications with no deficiencies must be approved within 18 days, while those requiring clarifications must be processed within a maximum of 27 days. GCC has also urged officials to follow the 'first in, first out' principle while processing applications, so that earlier submissions are cleared before newer ones.
Visual Summary of New Timelines
- Average monthly approvals by GCC: 550-600
- Site inspection within 7 days of application submission
- Inspection report uploaded within 2 days
- 7 days for applicants to submit clarifications
- Approval within 3 working days after valid documents
- Digital permit issued within 24 hours of fee payment
- Clear applications: 18 days
- Applications requiring clarifications: 27 days
- No office visits for applicants, architects, or engineers
- Online payment of fees
These measures are expected to significantly reduce corruption and delays, enhancing the ease of doing business in Chennai. Citizens can also check related information such as gold rates, silver rates, bank holidays, public holidays, air quality index, weather, and fuel prices in Chennai through various online platforms.
About the Author
Tarika Balakannan is a reporter working in Madurai. She writes on education, health, and corporation matters. Though born in the hills, she loves Madras, the city where she has spent most of her life. When not writing stories, she is busy telling them through photographs and films.
