Kozhikode: Building plan approval goes online

KOZHIKODE: Kozhikode Municipal Corporation on Monday signed a memorandum of understanding (Mou) with Bangalore-based eGovernments Foundation for software for building plan approval in the city. The online system to bring transparency, accountability and time-bound service for the public, will be replicated statewide, based on its success. The system will be functional in three months of the software installation in the corporation office and training of the staff. The online approval system will accept only those plans complying with the Kerala Municipal Building Rules.

Malabar Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the project expected to cost Rs  45-' 50 lakh implemented by the subcommittee on e-Governance of City Consultative Committee. "Highlights of the software are the unified interpretation of building rules and the facility for file tracking. The software is open-source, and hence no additional charges like license fee or royalty incur for copying it for other civic bodies," said regional town planner K.V. Abdul Malik.

Mayor Thottathil Raveendran said it would be a boon not just to the public, but also the staff and councillors whose workload will come down significantly.   The chamber president P.V. Nidheesh said it would bring a positive energy to local businesses. eGovernments Foundation CEO Viraj Tyagi presented the project before corporators at the corporation council hall. "The civic body can also add other services like online property tax submission using the software. In Chennai where we have aided the software implementation, 40 percent of property tax are paid online," he said.