The Goan Network
PANAJI
Unclear property titles and government departments, which make builders run around for months even for simplest projects, have made life really difficult for real estate players in the State.
While builders spend months chasing government departments in Goa for approvals, the neighbouring state of Maharashtra has already implemented a single-window clearance system for real-estate projects.
A builder informed that there are very few clear property titles available in Goa and even after getting a clear title, negotiating with seller ends up taking 3 to 6 months for a small plot and 1 to 2 years for a big plot.
Considerable time is wasted even before you start knocking at the door of government departments for approvals. And, it appears that no one in government departments can commit as to how many weeks, months or years will take to clear a project.
Desh Prabhudessai, president of the Goa unit of CREDAI said, “We don’t mind going for permissions, but there has to be some accountability. 90-95 per cent projects are straightforward without any complications. Such projects should get all approvals within 2-3 months.”
Another builder, who preferred remaining anonymous, said, “Even if a professional is handling the job, for a small project like 800-1000 square meters plot will take minimum 8-10 months to get all government approvals.”
If it takes 8-10 months for simple projects, then for a slightly complex project, it can end up taking a lot more time in getting approvals.
As per law, builders are required to get an environmental clearance (EC) if the built-up area of a project is more than 20,000 square meters. An EC should normally take 3-4 months. But, in reality, it can take a lot longer.
KulaSekhar, designated partner, Milroc, said, “It took us eight months to get EC for our Pilar project. Overall, we spent two years in getting all approvals for this project.”
The whole process of getting first to the last approval from the government is a rather complicated one. Once you decide which plot you want to buy, the first step is going to Collector’s office to get conversion sanad.
If built up area is more than 20,000 square meters, the second step is to get an EC. Then, you have to get building plan approved from the town and country planning department (TCP).
A source, however, informed that some builders approach state committee to get EC and TCP to get building plan approved simultaneously. This shows that the whole process is not clear.
Sanad, TCP approval for building plan and EC are the three main approvals. But, life is not easy after getting them either. After this, the builders have to go to public works department (PWD) and power department to get no objection certificate (NOC).
This doesn’t go down well with builders at all. Prabhudessai continued, “We are already paying infrastructure tax to the government. Why should we get these NOCs, which are specifically for the purpose of power and water connection?”
KulaSekhar said, “I hope the government along with builders devise a system so that land purchase and land permission becomes easy.”
