Govt to streamline system for project approvals

NEW DELHI: In Delhi, as many as 24 clearances are required from various agencies for a construction project and the process takes an average time of 207 days, presenting a situation that the government has decided to correct.

The Urban Development Ministry has decided to streamline the processes and speed up decision-making process so that clearances are given within a month.

It has decided to provide for online submission of applications, subsequent processing and according of approvals while eliminating human interface.

The decision was taken at a meeting here to review the prevailing systems and evolve a way forward against the backdrop of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's emphasis on 'ease of doing business', an official of the Urban Development Ministry said.

At the meeting, it was found that 24 clearances are required to be taken for urban projects in the capital from different agencies like District Collector, Delhi Urban Arts Commission, Ministry of Environment & Forests, Archaeological Survey of India, Fire Services, Wildlife Board, Highway Authority, Jail Authorities, Maritime Board and Tree Authority etc. The whole process takes an average time of 207 days.

Because of this situation, India ranks 184 out of 189 countries in terms of ease of obtaining approvals for urban construction projects, Urban Development Secretary Madhusudhan Prasad noted while chairing the meeting. In South Asia, India ranks only above Afghanistan.

Expressing concern over the long time taken for approving urban construction projects, Prasad stressed the need for evolving a way forward with the objective of according such approvals in about a month time.

He said urban areas are the prime locations of economic activity and there is an imperative need for enhancing the ease of doing business.

At the meeting, it was noted that in Mumbai, 27 clearances from different agencies are required and the average time is 162 days with the cost of obtaining approvals including payment of development charges coming to about 46 per cent of project cost.

According to the official, the UD Secretary desired that Mumbai Municipal Corporation and South Delhi Municipal Corporation should evolve integrated online approval mechanism with the objective of according approvals within 30 days from the date of application.

This model could be replicated by Municipal Commissioners of Mumbai, Pune and New Kolkata Town which made presentations on the initiatives being taken to streamline approval processes.

After detailed discussions, it was felt that concerned Ministries and agencies may be approached to furnish details of the statutes/regulations under which such approvals are required and designated authorities for according necessary clearance.

To expedite projects, it was decided that ministries concerned and agencies should furnish details of benchmarks to be ensured for according necessary approvals/no objections.