People seeking approval for residential and commercial building plans from the Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) are facing delays following the implementation of the United Land Management System (ULMS), a digital platform introduced by the State government to incorporate various land-related services under a single system.

The platform was launched with the objective of simplifying procedures and reducing the need for citizens to visit multiple government offices. However, applicants and consulting engineers in Mysuru city claim that the transition has resulted in prolonged approval timelines, causing inconvenience and uncertainty for those planning to construct houses, apartments and commercial buildings.

According to stakeholders, building plan approvals that were previously processed relatively quickly are now taking longer due to the new approval system and multiple layers of scrutiny incorporated into the ULMS framework. The delays have affected several proposed construction projects in the MCC limits.

Sources in the MCC acknowledged that the system is being streamlined and that technical issues and procedural issues are being examined for corrective action. They maintained that efforts are under way to improve the functioning of the portal and ensure smoother processing of applications.

Consulting engineers, however, argued that the approval process has become more clumsy under ULMS. They point out that the platform requires applications to move through a longer chain of officials before receiving final clearance.

Nirman-2.0 replaced

The ULMS has replaced Nirman-2.0, the online building plan approval system that had been in operation for more than four years. Under Nirman-2.0, building plans for sites measuring up to 225 sq. m. were approved at the respective zonal offices of the MCC. Larger projects were processed at the MCC headquarters by the Joint Director of Town Planning and the Commissioner.

Under the new system, applications are routed through multiple levels, including the Junior Engineer (JE), Assistant Engineer (AE), Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE) and other officials before final approval. Users say this transition has slowed down approvals, though officials contend that the system will become more efficient once initial issues are resolved.

Builders, engineers and property owners have urged the government and civic authorities to address technical glitches and simplify procedures so that genuine applicants do not face delays in undertaking construction activities. They argued that prolonged approval timelines could affect the city’s real estate and construction sectors while increasing costs for individuals planning to build homes.

In a bid to familiarise stakeholders with the new platform, the MCC recently organised a training programme for consulting engineers on the functioning of ULMS and the procedures involved in processing applications. As many as 51 engineers participated in the training conducted at the MCC office.

Getting faster: MCC

A senior MCC official said approvals are gradually becoming faster and that applications for sites measuring up to 50x80 sq. ft. are generally being processed without major difficulties. Some issues relating to apartment projects remain, but steps are being taken to address them. “The system update is under way and all issues will be sorted out soon,” the official said.

Since the launch of ULMS, nearly 25 building plan approvals have been granted, according to MCC sources.

MCC officials expressed confidence that the number of approvals will increase as the platform stabilises and users become more familiar with the new digital workflow.