The Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) is set to usher in a new era of convenience for property owners in the state capital. Starting from the New Year, getting building plans sanctioned will become dramatically faster with the introduction of a revolutionary single-click online approval system named FastPass.
What is the FastPass System?
This new digital facility is part of LDA's updated building bylaws and is designed to eliminate the traditional, time-consuming approval process. Under FastPass, plot owners can obtain approval for their building maps entirely online through a process of self-certification. This move effectively does away with the need for multiple, frustrating visits to LDA offices, which was the norm until now.
The system will offer instant approval for residential buildings constructed on plots up to 100 square meters (approximately 1,000 square feet). For commercial constructions, the instant approval benefit will apply to projects up to 30 square meters (around 300 square feet). LDA officials estimate that this streamlined process is expected to benefit a significant majority—nearly 60%—of the applicants who approach the authority annually for map sanctions.
End of Long Delays and Physical Verification
The previous process was notoriously slow. Applicants had to register online and then wait for LDA officials to conduct physical site inspections before any approval could be granted. This verification stage often dragged on for a minimum of three months, leading to considerable construction delays and a steady stream of complaints from residents.
The FastPass system turns this model on its head. For all eligible cases, the requirement for physical site verification by officials has been completely eliminated. "The entire process is made fully digital to ensure speed, transparency and accountability," stated LDA Vice-Chairman Prathamesh Kumar. He added that FastPass is specifically designed to reduce unnecessary delays and direct interface, allowing eligible applicants to get their plans approved within minutes through self-certification.
How to Use the FastPass Portal
The process is hosted on the official portal, map.up.gov.in. It follows a straightforward digital workflow:
- Registration using a valid mobile number.
- Creation of a secure login ID and password.
- Uploading the detailed building plans in the prescribed format.
- Making payment of the applicable fees online.
Once submitted, the system's automated software scrutinizes the plans against the prescribed building norms and bylaws. Here, the responsibility shifts to the applicant through mandatory self-certification. Landowners must ensure and declare that:
- The land use conforms to the city's Master Plan.
- Accurate details are provided for plot location, adjoining road width, proposed building height, covered area, and all setbacks (front, side, rear).
- Clear information on entry/exit points and parking arrangements is furnished.
If all digital parameters and conditions are satisfied, the system automatically generates the approved building plan along with a self-certification certificate in a matter of minutes. "This system will provide major relief to citizens and will also help curb delays and unnecessary hassles in the map approval process," emphasized Vice-Chairman Kumar.
This initiative marks a significant leap in urban governance for Lucknow, promising to transform a historically tedious bureaucratic procedure into a swift, transparent, and citizen-friendly digital service.
