Problems over

The urban development and housing department has initiated a process to empanel certified architects for sanctioning maps.

The move comes nearly three months after imposing a ban on approval of maps for multi-storeyed buildings over the height of 11 metres.

“We have issued a notice for empanelment of the certified architects. Only those registered with the Council of Architects, New Delhi, having five years of experience and those already empanelled and able to furnish details of maps sanctioned by them till date, are eligible to apply. The last date of receiving applications is March 15. The fresh empanelment is expected to be finalised by April 1,” said S. Siddharth, the secretary of the department.

Last December, the department had sought details about the approved maps from the certified architects since the time of their empanelment with the urban local bodies. The notices on the architects had come after the department, on December 13, imposed a ban on approval of maps for any multi-storeyed building over the height of 11m till the proposed Bihar Municipal Building Bylaws and Building Codes come into effect. However, the expected response was not received within the stipulated time. Accordingly, a fresh process of empanelment has been initiated.

The architects to be empanelled afresh would be integrated in the forthcoming process of online approval of building maps.

“Website for the purpose of online approval of building maps, among other civic services, is being developed for 55 towns. The architects would be required to upload the digital maps of the buildings on the website, which would be checked through a software being developed. It would be on the website for 15 days for inviting objections. If the software does not find any error in the map and no objections are received, it would be considered approved,” said Siddharth.

The new process for online map approval would also allow prospective property purchasers to see the approved design of their flats from May 1.