The Tamil Nadu government has once again delegated the authority to approve high-rise building (HRB) projects in the Chennai Metropolitan Area (CMA) to the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA), a move that is expected to significantly speed up the approval process. The decision was announced through a government order (GO) issued by the Housing and Urban Development Department on June 15.
Background of the Decision
The move follows a request from CMDA, which highlighted that routing proposals through the government after technical scrutiny was causing additional procedural delays. The government accepted the proposal and decided to vest approval powers directly with the planning authority.
The order amends provisions of the Tamil Nadu Combined Development and Building Rules (TNCDBR), 2019, under which proposals for high-rise buildings were previously forwarded to the government for final approval. In 2022, a GO was issued granting CMDA the power to clear planning permissions for HRBs (buildings taller than 18 meters). However, the TNCDBR was amended a year later to nullify that GO, making it mandatory to obtain approval from the government.
Streamlined Process
Until now, developers submitted their applications for HRB permissions to CMDA. After field inspections, the applications were placed before the HRB committee for consideration. The proposals were then forwarded to the government, and planning permission was granted only after the issuance of a GO. This process often caused delays of at least two months.
“Until now, developers submitted their applications for permission for HRBs to the CMDA. After field inspections, the applications were placed before the HRB committee for consideration. The proposals were then forwarded to the govt, and planning permission was granted only after the issuance of GO. Now this has been amended,” said an official.
Reconstituted HRB Scrutiny Panel
The government has also reconstituted the HRB scrutiny panel. It will be chaired by the member secretary of CMDA and include representatives from the fire and rescue services department, Metrowater, Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC), Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO), water resources department, public works department, and the police traffic wing.
Industry stakeholders have welcomed the decision. “This is a welcome move as it will speed up the process. Going to the govt and getting a GO used to take at least two months,” said S Sridharan, executive committee member of Credai National.
With this change, developers can expect faster approvals, reducing project delays and boosting real estate development in the Chennai Metropolitan Area.
