As part of Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority’s (CMDA’s) e-governance initiative, the planning body has decided to implement the software-based application scrutiny system (Appas) from September 1 in a full-fledged manner.
The software, which will verify the building plan in a matter of minutes, would facilitate the authorities issue the approval within a few days, avoiding unnecessary delay.
The scheme has been in place on a trial basis for the past two months and after undergoing various checks, it has now reached the final stage of implementation. The experts of the private concern that has designed the software are now training the staff of the department, sources in CMDA told DC.
They added that it had been decided to implement it from September 1 after the elaborate trial-and-error testing. “The works are apace as the proposed scheme is successful and has received positive response from the builders,” the sources said.
As per the scheme, builders applying for plan approval for multi-storeyed and special buildings category need not take the blueprint of the building, but can just walk into the CMDA office with a CD containing the drawing of the proposed structure.
“The builders need to submit a drawing file of the building plan (CAD drawing) in CD format, which would be processed by a pre-checked software, and accord permission only if it fulfilled various parameters listed out in the development regulations,” said an official.
The move would be a big reprieve for the builders who had been complaining of huge monetary loss due to red-tapism in the department.