Hyderabad: Time limit set on building nod

Hyderabad: There’s some good news for builders who have been facing a tough time for approvals from the GHMC town planning wing.

All applications for buildings above five floors that need approval from the municipal commissioner will now be disposed of within 10-15 days from the date of submission.  

This is being done to tighten the noose on officials who purposely hold back building permission files and demand favours.

There have been repeated complaints, even to the municipal minister, from top construction brands that the demands of GHMC officials range from money to properties (for instance, a flat).  

Officials delay the file, citing the need for more documents and other shortfalls and force builders to accede to their demands.

Municipal commissioner B. Janardhan Reddy has issued orders specifically to dispose of files within the stipulated time frame as per the Citizen’s Charter.

“The file shall not be kept pending under any circumstances. In case of any unwanted delay, the city planner and assistant city planners shall monitor the disposal of applications of their respective staff periodically and assess performance based on quality and quantitative disposal. A team will check the pendency of applications and shall attend to the files on priority,” Mr Reddy said.

The builders have been told that in case of any issues in online building permission applications, they should bring it to the notice of resource personnel in the respective Circle/Zone or Softtech Team at the head office. They will ensure that the issue is addressed and resolved immediately.
 
Layout regularisation scheme
The GHMC has received a total of 85,398 applications for Layout Regularisation, of which 72,058 are eligible applications. As many as 7,304 applications are being processed, 937 have been intimated about the fee, 3,122 have been rejected and in 36,864 cases, shortfall intimation letters were issued.

“It was observed that the disposal of applications is not satisfactory as majority of applications are being rejected or being raised for shortfalls. Officials are instructed to avoid the same and dispose of applications with proper justification. A mela shall be conducted regularly at respective Zonal Offices and citizens must use this opportunity,” he said.

The timeframe for the occupancy certificate, mandatory for every building, has been cut to five days.

Unless a builder has an occupancy certificate, no water or electrical connections will be approved.

An OC is issued by the town planning wings of urban local bodies to property owners or builders once construction is completed.

Before issuing such certificates, the town planning staff inspects the buildings to assess them for any deviations or unauthorised structures that are not built as per the approved building plans.

Building Regularisation Scheme
The GHMC has received 1,39,094 applications under BRS. It was observed that the progress of disposal of applications is very poor and all city planners were instructed to process applications as per the orders of  High Court.

A status report on disposal is due to be submitted before the High Court.