New online system for local authorities to approve construction plans

Measures have been taken to introduce a new online system for local authorities to approve construction plans, N.P.K Ranaweera, Director General of the Urban Development Authority (UDA) said in Parliament recently.

Commenting on a proposal made by MP Madura Vithanage, at the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Urban Development and Housing, the Director General said that this has already been initiated as a pilot project for the Kotte Municipal Council and Gampaha and Kalutara Pradeshiya Sabhas.

The meeting was chaired by Indika Anuruddha, State Minister of Rural Housing and Construction & Building Material Industries and Dr. Nalaka Godahewa, State Minister of Urban Development, Coast Conservation, Waste Disposal and Community Cleanliness.

Director General of UDA further said that steps have been taken to provide funds for this pilot project including all technical facilities and that the project will be introduced to all local authorities in the future after discussing with the heads of the relevant local authorities and considering their needs.

The Committee also focused on introducing the same format for all local authorities as there are different planning application forms in local authorities when approving plans.

It was also revealed that an online application system will be introduced in collaboration with 17 institutions such as the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) and the Coast Conservation Department (CCD), thus that the applicant will not be inconvenienced in approving the plans received by the Urban Development Authority. Tenders have been already called to find an investor for this project and it will be launched as a pilot project from next August, UDA officials said.