Building plan approvals and permits made easy with risk-based assessment

The department had issued a Government Order on June 14, which categorise the buildings as low risk, medium risk and high-risk buildings. The new Government Order would reduce time taken to clear applications.

According to the order, non-high-rise residential buildings up to 12 metres height not exceeding three dwelling units or 750 sqm built-up area and commercial buildings up to 12 metres height not exceeding 300 sqm are categorised as low risk buildings in Chennai Metropolitan Area. These buildings would be inspected by assistant planners of Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) or engineers of local bodies.

Non-high rise buildings with more than 12 metres and less than 18.3 metres high are categorised as high risk and would be assessed by chief planners. All the high rise buildings are classified as high-risk structures.

High rise buildings up to 30 metres high would be inspected by assistant planners, which buildings between 30 metres and 60 metres height would be inspected by deputy planner. Chief planners would inspect buildings with more than 60 metres height or site extending more than one hectare.

The Government Order is followed by a request from CMDA to implement risk-based classification of buildings and delegation of powers to the officials.

While delegating powers to planners of CMDA, the Government Order also had classified buildings based on risk and designated officials for the buildings built in DTCP (Directorate of Town and Country Planning) area.