Berhampur, July 3: The development authority here has proposed to start a single window system for approval of all building plans.

Once this system is implemented, a person or a realtor interested to construct a house will not have to go to different offices to get his plan sanctioned.

"One has to apply in an appropriate format for approval of the building plans and plots to the Berhampur Development Authority (BDA) and the latter will co-ordinate the approval in association with other offices," said Subash Maharana, the chairman of BDA.

The development authority would allow the applicants to go ahead with the construction, after obtaining green the light from other offices.

"We discussed the issue with the stakeholders, builders and general public on a common application form rule issued recently by the state housing and urban development department," Maharana said. The president of Berhampur Builders' Association, Uma Shanker Panigrahi, welcomed the proposed single window system.

"This system will make the approval of plans easier. It will also save time. Earlier, we needed two to three years to approve a plan and most of the time was wasted on approaching various offices. Now, one can get his or her plan approved within two months under the proposed single window system," said Panigrahi.

"Applying online for the building plan will facilitate people who are based out of Berhampur. It would be of great help to many people who work abroad and want to settle in Berhampur in the future," Panigrahi said.

The realty sector in the city and its outskirts has gathered pace in recent times. It has been alleged that many builders and private parties are flouting norms in many construction sites. Some are also being harassed by government officers for getting the plan approved.

"The process will be streamlined further after implementation of the single window system," said a BDA official.