The Tamil Nadu government plans to authorize registered engineers to issue building plan approvals as third parties to expedite the process. Minister B Rajkumar announced the initiative in the state assembly, noting that it will reduce the need for applicants to visit government offices for residential, commercial, and industrial projects.
Under the proposed system, authorized professionals will certify compliance with development regulations for specific building sizes. This includes residential projects up to 8,070 sq ft, commercial buildings up to 3,230 sq ft, and industrial structures up to 26,900 sq ft in approved estates. Planning authorities will conduct random site inspections to ensure the system is not misused.
Additionally, the state is expanding its existing self-certification scheme for residential buildings by increasing the permissible area for instant approval from 3,500 sq ft to 5,000 sq ft. Industry representatives have welcomed the move, noting that it represents a positive step toward streamlining construction permissions.
