The Madhya Pradesh government has announced major reforms to simplify the building permission process in urban areas by removing the mandatory requirement of obtaining No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from several government departments. The move is aimed at making the approval process faster, more transparent and completely digital.

Under the revised system, applicants seeking permission to construct residential or commercial buildings will no longer have to visit multiple departments for mandatory clearances in several categories. The Urban Development and Housing Department has issued directions to all urban local bodies to implement the new guidelines with immediate effect.

The order, issued by Additional Chief Secretary Sanjay Dubey, states that the entire building permission process—from application to approval—will now be conducted online, and only digitally submitted documents will be accepted.

Mandatory NOCs Removed

The revised framework eliminates the compulsory requirement of obtaining NOCs from several departments, including those related to:

• Housing cooperative societies

• Nazul authorities

• Electricity department

• Other specified government agencies

Applicants will no longer be required to independently secure these clearances before applying for building permission.

The government said the changes are expected to reduce procedural delays and improve ease of doing business for citizens, developers and construction agencies.

Departments to Respond Within Fixed Timeline

For cases where comments from another department are still required, the responsibility will now rest with the competent authority instead of the applicant.

According to the new procedure, the concerned authority must forward the application to the relevant department within seven days of receiving it.

The department concerned will have 21 days to communicate its approval or objections. If no response is received within the stipulated period, the building permission process may proceed further in accordance with the prescribed rules.

Certain NOCs Still Mandatory

The government has clarified that NOCs from specific agencies will continue to be required only in restricted cases.

These include permissions from:

• Airports Authority of India (AAI)

• National Monuments Authority (NMA)

• Heritage conservation authorities

Such approvals will be necessary only if an online GIS-based verification establishes that the proposed site falls within a restricted, protected or heritage-sensitive zone.

Environmental and Fire Safety Norms Continue

The revised policy also provides greater clarity regarding environmental and fire safety approvals.

Environmental clearance will remain mandatory only for projects exceeding the prescribed size limits under applicable regulations.

Similarly, permission for tree felling will be required only where actual removal of trees is proposed as part of the construction activity.

Fire safety clearances will continue to be governed by the provisions of the National Building Code (NBC) and other applicable regulations.

Move Towards Fully Digital Governance

The state government said the reforms are intended to make the building approval system more efficient while reducing unnecessary paperwork and physical visits to government offices.

By shifting the process entirely online and accepting only digital documents, the government aims to improve transparency, minimise delays and enhance investor confidence in the state's urban development framework.

Officials believe the revised system will provide significant relief not only to individual homeowners but also to builders, developers and infrastructure agencies undertaking construction projects across Madhya Pradesh.