Bihar Government Hands Over Building Approval Powers to Architects for Commercial Projects Up to 16 Meters
Patna, March 24: In a move set to transform the real estate landscape of Bihar, the state government has decided to delegate the authority of approving building maps for commercial projects up to 16 meters in height to registered architects. The decision spares builders and promoters from the lengthy process of running between different government departments for clearances.
The announcement came from Vinay Kumar, Principal Secretary of the Urban Development and Housing Department, during a workshop organized by the Bihar Real Estate Regulatory Authority on Monday. According to officials, the proposal is ready and is likely to receive the green light from the state cabinet within the next 30 days.
Under the existing system, promoters had to navigate multiple government desks to get their commercial project maps approved, often resulting in significant delays. Once the new framework comes into effect, builders can directly approach architects who are empaneled with the Urban Development Department. These architects will have the legal authority to approve maps, cutting down the approval time and reducing opportunities for corruption.
Alongside this change, the department has also rolled out a simplified company registration process for promoters. Starting this week, builders can register their firms at any point during the year without being asked to submit any supporting documents at the time of registration. Officials believe this step will bring more real estate projects under the official regulatory umbrella.
The Bihar RERA workshop also shed light on some pressing issues within the sector. Vivek Kumar Singh, Chairman of Bihar RERA, revealed that around 100 applications from builders had to be rejected in the past few months because of incomplete paperwork. To tackle this, the authority has introduced a new system that flags missing documents at the very moment an application is being filled out. Singh also expressed concern that despite free counseling services being offered to builders, nearly half of them skip these sessions.
Sanjay Kumar Singh, who serves as the Investigation Commissioner at RERA, pointed out that Bihar RERA has become the first regulatory body in the country to introduce a ranking system for promoters and projects. The authority also uses satellite images to inspect land-based projects, setting a new benchmark for transparency.
The Urban Development Department is also working on a larger initiative under the National Urban Digital Mission. The goal is to bring all services provided by urban local bodies across Bihar onto one digital platform, making it easier for citizens and builders to access information without hassle.
Industry representatives from CREDAI Bihar and BAI Bihar who attended the workshop welcomed the reforms. They stated that giving architects the power to approve maps will help complete projects faster and restore confidence among investors.
With these changes, Bihar is positioning itself as a more business-friendly state for the real estate sector. The coming weeks will determine how quickly the new approval system is implemented, but builders are already looking forward to a smoother and more transparent process.
Common Questions Answered
Which projects will benefit from this new rule?
Any commercial building project with a height of up to 16 meters, which is roughly five to six floors, will fall under this category.
Will builders still have to go to government offices?
No. Once the system is fully implemented, builders will only need to approach registered architects who are listed with the Urban Development Department.
When can builders expect this system to begin?
The state government is expected to give its final approval within the next one month.
What has changed in the company registration process?
Builders can now register their companies throughout the year without submitting any documents at the time of registration. This rule is already in effect.