Curation Team
CHENNAI: Homebuyers in the city may face delayed possessions as technical glitches and approval backlogs in the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) portal stall real estate projects. Developers cite repeated upload failures, sanction plan delays, and prolonged processing of Completion Certificates (CCs), particularly for high-rise buildings.
Builders have raised concerns over persistent technical issues and administrative delays hampering the approval and completion process.
The major problem, they say, lies in uploading large project files on CMDA’s online portal.
Even after obtaining approvals, the release of the sanction plan is often delayed. This affects critical project activities such as bank funding, legal clearances, and on-site work, creating uncertainty for developers, investors, and homebuyers alike.
Completion Certificates — essential for handing over finished units — are also delayed, despite developers meeting all clearance requirements. “We understand checks for building or setback violations, but CMDA staff are now raising objections even for minor architectural fins, claiming they affect setback areas,” said a builder.
“It now takes 60 to 90 days to get the CC. Even in a clean case, it takes 45 days. Homebuyers are forced to pay EMI without taking possession of their homes,” said a builder.
A CMDA source cited a shortage of junior-level planners — officials responsible for site inspections and CC processing — as a key reason. “There is also a need for manual intervention to clear planning permissions. The flow is not proper and needs to be addressed. Otherwise, there is no point in an online system,” the source added.
A senior CMDA official acknowledged the issue, stating, “We are studying the DTCP software, which seems to be more efficient. The glitches will be addressed.” He, however, said that there are issues pertaining to incomplete documentation done by certain architects. “This is a major hurdle. We are planning to conduct training sessions again,” he said.
