Una, January 27: There is now no need to visit the Municipal Corporation office for plan approval of residential buildings up to 500 square meters. This permission can be granted by registered private architects. Una Municipal Corporation Commissioner Mahendra Pal Gurjar said that the state government has already implemented this system for the convenience of the people and to save time.
The Commissioner said that under the notification dated September 15, 2022, of the Town and Country Planning Department of the state government, the powers of the Director, Town and Country Planning, have been transferred to registered private professionals under Section 77 of the Himachal Pradesh Town and Country Planning Act, 1977. Accordingly, registered private architects can approve building plans on plots up to 500 square meters for residential use in all notified planning areas, special areas, urban local bodies, and Himachal Pradesh Urban Development Authority colonies in the state. This notification has been published in the State Gazette.
He said that the applicant will have to obtain plan approval only through a registered private architect or engineer of the Town and Country Planning Department under the prescribed online system. In such cases, no separate permission is issued by the Municipal Corporation office.
Mr. Gurjar said that a monitoring system is also in place to ensure transparency and accountability in this process. Cases approved as per rules are inspected by the Town and Country Planning Department and the concerned urban local bodies. If any construction deviating from the approved plan or violation of rules is found, strict action will be taken under the relevant Act.
He said that in case of violation of rules, the plan approval can be canceled, and the registration of the concerned registered private professional can also be revoked. It will be mandatory to display the information related to the approved plan at the construction site and to carry out the construction work strictly according to the approved map.
The Commissioner appealed to the citizens not to visit the Municipal Corporation office for plan approval of residential buildings up to 500 square meters and to apply only through registered private architects. He said that this system is a step towards providing timely and simple services to the common people.