In a significant move towards digital governance, Goa's Town and Country Planning (TCP) Department has announced a major shift in its approval process for construction projects. Starting January 1, architects, engineers, and builders will be required to submit their plans for approval exclusively through the department's online portal, the Building Plan Approval Management System (BPAMS).
A Phased Digital Transition
While the move to an online system is a step towards modernization, the department has shown a cautious approach. The mandatory use of BPAMS will initially be restricted to buildings with up to four apartments. This indicates a continued reluctance to fully embrace the automated system for larger, more complex projects.
Chief Town Planner Vertika Dagur has issued a directive clarifying the transition. Until the January 1 deadline, development permissions and technical clearances for these smaller multi-dwelling buildings can still be obtained through both online and traditional offline channels. Furthermore, completion orders for constructions that were approved online will also follow this dual-path system during the interim period.
Background and Builder Concerns
The BPAMS was first launched in 2020, initially piloted for individual homes and single dwelling units. The system was designed to bring transparency and speed to the construction approval process. It automates the scrutiny of building plans, checking them for compliance with the TCP's planning rules and enabling approval within minutes.
However, the department has maintained an incremental strategy. Large residential and commercial projects continue to be excluded from the BPAMS. According to builders and architects, this preference for manual processing of large project permissions by TCP officers leads to significant delays, operational inefficiencies, and a concerning lack of transparency in the process.
The Road Ahead for Goa's Construction Sector
Government officials have also noted that the TCP department has been slow to adopt the ease of doing business directive, which promotes a full transition to digital software. The BPAMS platform is intended to allow professionals to upload plans digitally, eliminating the need for physical visits to the TCP office.
A key new requirement is that obtaining a completion order will now be contingent on having received prior online plan approval. A TCP official stated that the overarching goal of this digital push is to streamline processes, cut red tape, and significantly boost efficiency in Goa's construction and real estate sector.
