Streamlining Real Estate Project Approvals: A Push for Single-Window Clearance
Expediting Project Approvals: Single-Window Clearance Proposed
A government-appointed panel has recommended the implementation of a single-window clearance system to accelerate real estate project approvals. This proposal is expected to be met with enthusiasm from builders who have long advocated for such a streamlined process. They anticipate that the government will act swiftly to put this system into effect.
However, a notable absence in the panel's report is the inclusion of any recommendations from the Ministry of Environment and Forests.
Currently, builders must obtain clearance from numerous bodies, including the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and the Ministry of Environment and Forests. This process is often regarded as one of the most time-consuming aspects of large-scale project construction. Furthermore, these delays are believed to be a contributing factor to escalating property prices.
Addressing Project Delays: The Panel's Role
A special panel was established last year with the explicit mission to investigate the issue of project delays. The panel was chaired by Dhanendra Kumar, who is the Chairman of the Competition Commission of India (CCI).
Despite numerous meetings conducted by the panel, the Ministry of Environment and Forests remained conspicuously absent from these discussions.
Ajay Maken, the Minister for Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, stated that he would communicate with the Ministry of Environment and Forests, urging their participation in the upcoming panel board meeting to offer their perspective on the implementation of the single-window clearance mechanism.
Final Report Anticipated: Streamlining Approvals
The committee, which convened with Mr. Maken last week, is expected to submit its final report by the conclusion of this month.
Existing regulations stipulate that all substantial real estate projects exceeding 200,000 square feet of built-up area must secure environmental clearance from the designated state government department. Importantly, these state government bodies are obligated to adhere to the standards and procedures prescribed by the central government.
Current Guidelines and Proposed Improvements
The guidelines outline a timeframe of 210 days for the Ministry of Environment and Forests to issue the requisite clearance certificate from the time of the project's submission. Once the committee presents its final report, the ministry will have 45 days to render a final decision.
The panel has also put forward a variety of suggestions aimed at expediting the clearance procedure. The implementation of the single-window clearance system carries the expectation among builders that the clearance process will be expedited significantly, allowing their endeavors to progress more smoothly.