eGovWatch: South Delhi Municipal Corporation digitises process to clear building plans

South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) has completely digitised the process to clear building plans, becoming the “first” municipal corporation in the country to issue digitally signed sanction letters.

“Residents of the civic area no longer need to visit SDMC offices to submit their application for building plan as the
paperless digital process could be fulfilled online. Status of application can also be checked by the applicants,” said a senior SDMC official.

With the help of single window clearance and common application form, online mode is operational for building plans of warehouses, residential, commercial, and industrial properties.

The building plan is in the form of digitally signed letter which can be downloaded by the applicant or the architect through online mode, he said.

The Government of India had conceptualized under its ease of doing business policy two years back to commission a
paperless, expeditious and hassle-free sanction of building plans for different categories of buildings through online mode.

The SDMC took cue from this and developed initial software for each category.

The first digitized building plan application of a residential property in West Punjabi Bagh, was recently approved with digitally signed sanction letter issued to the owner, said the officer.

Multiple affidavits have also been converted into single affidavit, undertaking or note on the plans, thereby considerably reducing the documentary requirements.

The common application form with integration of all departments helps in reducing the number of procedures and timeline for sanction process, he added.

The applicant can deposit all applicable charges relating to different concerned departments through online mode to the SDMC. After approval, digitally signed sanction letters can be downloaded by the applicant.