The Kolkata Municipal Corporation’s (KMC) building department has declared the compulsory use of online applications for the approval of building plans for new constructions. Mayor Firhad Hakim emphasized that manual applications will only be accepted for approvals related to alterations, additions to existing structures, and the reconstruction of insecure buildings.
The KMC had introduced the online system for building plan approvals a couple of years ago, and according to the mayor, it has received a positive response from citizens. Initially allowing manual submissions in case of complications, the KMC has now phased out manual applications, confident that citizens are well-versed in the online system.
A source from the KMC building department revealed that the civic body approves approximately 250 building plans per month. The online system has significantly streamlined the process, reducing the time required for approval from 45 days to just a fortnight for even simple plans without legal complications.
To handle the increased workload in certain construction-intensive areas like Behala, Tollygunge-Jadavpur belt, Garia, and regions off EM Bypass, executive engineers have been alerted. The KMC has established an advanced network at its headquarters and borough offices, equipped with specialized software for scrutinizing online applications and accompanying drawings submitted for plan approval.
To ensure a smooth transition, the KMC officials have organized workshops for architects and licensed building surveyors, particularly focusing on training surveyors for applications related to apartment buildings or individual houses under the new online system.