Local Government Punjab decides to implement online building plan approval system in all municipal towns of Punjab

Ludhiana, July 29, 2018: The Department of Local Government Punjab has decided to implement online building plan approval system in all the municipal towns of Punjab.
According to Sources, the proposed Building Plan Management System shall automate the end-to-end process from empanelment of architect, online documents submission, online fee payment, architect registration, building plan approval and plinth level approval to completion / occupation certificate across all the ULBs in Punjab.
Assistant Town Planner (HQ) from the Directorate, Local Government, Punjab, on July 27, has written to Municipal Corporation, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Bathinda, Phagwara, Pathankot, SAS Nagar (Mohali), Moga and Hoshiarpur and Regional Deputy Director, Department of Local Government, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Patiala, Ferozepur and Bathinda, with regard to Online Building Plan Management System - Training/Capacity Building. The copies of the letter has been sent among others to the President, Indian Institute of Architects (Punjab Chapter) for information and necessary action.
M/S ABM Knowledgeware Limited, Mumbai has been selected for development and implementation of Online Building Plan Management System in the ULB's/IT's of the state. The proposed system is likely to be rolled out across all the ULB's/IT's in the state by August 15, 2018.
Prior to the roll out, capacity building/training programme by the consultant company for the practising/registered architects/ professionals etc in the ULB's falling under jurisdiction is scheduled, the letter reads. It has been requested to inform all the practising / registered architects/ professionals etc to participate in the scheduled capacity / training programme on July 31, 2018 at 11 a.m. in the office of Punjab Municipal Bhawan, Sector 35-A, Chandigarh.
Welcoming the decision, the IIA Punjab Chapter chairman Sanjay Goel told that Navjot Singh Sidhu, Minister for Local Government, Punjab Navjot Singh Sidhu would interact with architects from across the state in presence of Municipal Commissioners and Mayors of Municipal Corporations in the scheduled capacity / training programme on July 31. He hoped that the decision to implement online building plan approval system in all the municipal towns of Punjab would open a new chapter of further growth in the state.
Goel said online building plans, its approvals, submission of documents, drawings, details and fee shall save a lot of time, energy and money of public. It is very good step by Punjab Government although late. It will minimize corruption and buildings will be more disciplined like Chandigarh.
"It is a step towards smart architecture in upcoming better livable Punjab", he remarked.
"All architects of Punjab have welcomed this step:, he said.
Adding, Goel said,"We hope the government will give more powers to architects registered with Council of Architecture, GoI to plan, design, approve and execute building projects to make healthier life and cities."
He opined public must be allowed to use / occupy buildings after getting occupation/ completion certificate only.
Further, Goel said the government must also issue all connections including electricity, water and sewerage once building is fully ready as per approved plants including rain water harvesting.