Corp's Hi-tech System For Building Approval
The Coimbatore Corporation has asked the people to make use of the new system, under which building plans can be submitted on a compact disc and approval can be got in a few days. Specifically, it wants the licensed building surveyors to support the effort to make the plan approval process transparent through the new system.
Under this system launched in May this year, the Corporation uses the automatic scrutiny of Development Control Rules (AutoDCR) software to check every aspect of a building plan. If a plan is rejected, the software helps in pinpointing which rule it does not conform to. The Building Plan Applications Management System processes the applications. The software has been developed by a Pune-based firm and has been acquired for Coimbatore by the Builders’ Association of India, Property Developers Association, Association of Consulting Civil Engineers and Institute of Architects.
After a review of the system recently, Corporation Commissioner V.K. Shanmugham said in a release that draughtsmen of flat promoters and organisations such as the builders’ association had undergone training in the use of the new system. They were also prepared to undergo more training.
The Commissioner, however, regretted that only less than five per cent of the licensed building surveyors of the Coimbatore Corporation had undergone training. The surveyors were a vital link between the Corporation and the public, but the lack of co-operation from them was hampering efforts to make the system a success.
The release pointed out that 90 per cent of the engineers in the city used the Auto Gate method to prepare building plans. From this format, the plan has to be transferred to the pre-DCR software. The AutoDCR at the Corporation would scrutinise in 30 minutes the plans submitted through the pre-DCR software and give orders.
A fee of Rs.500 to Rs.750 could be collected for this process for buildings up to 1,500 sq.ft. For structures of 2,000 sq.ft., the fee should not exceed Rs.1,000. The fee for special buildings was Rs.2,000 and it could be Rs.3,000 to Rs.5,000 for multi-storeyed apartments. Complaints of collection in excess of these rates could be made to the Corporation.
