Real estate developers are required to obtain relevant permits from government authorities to ensure that their project is in accordance with the set rules and regulations before the project can be initiated. Some of the best plot promoters in Chennai today are either offering DTCP-approved or CMDA- approved plots, and it is crucial for property buyers to understand what these approvals are, how to check if a land is DTCP-approved or CMDA-approved and which one they prefer.
The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) and the Directorate of Town and Country Planning (DTCP) are two authorities that oversee real estate development at different levels. While both authorities are a part of the Country Planning Act, there are several differences in the facilities, procedures, and jurisdiction of the two.
The Directorate of Town and Country Planning (DTCP) was established under the Tamil Nadu Town and Country Planning Act of 1971. It operates under the Urban Development Ministry of Tamil Nadu and has jurisdiction across the entire state of Tamil Nadu, except for the Chennai Metropolitan Area (CMA). The Chennai Metropolitan Area covers an area of 1189 sq km and includes Chennai Corporation, seven municipalities, twelve town panchayats, ten panchayat unions, and 179 villages. All other outskirt regions and suburbs around Chennai, as well as the rest of the state of Tamil Nadu fall under the jurisdiction of DTCP.
Salient features of DTCP-approved plots in Chennai:
It is crucial for property buyers to ensure that the plot or land they are purchasing has all the proper approvals and permits in place. Here are some important things to keep in mind to better understand how to check if a plot is DTCP/CMDA approved:
For CMDA approvals, you can visit the official website of the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority, where you will be able to check out all CMDA-approved plots, area plan units, area development units, etc., and you can confirm whether the plot you are considering buying is actually CMDA approved or not.
For DTCP approvals, you can visit the Land Use Information page on the official website of the Directorate of Town and Country Planning of Tamil Nadu. Here, you will be shown a list of year-wise approvals, and you can check whether your plot has received its DTCP approval or not.
The main motive of both DTCP and CMDA is to create safe spaces for property buyers. DTCP has governance over all the development projects across Tamil Nadu, except for those that fall in the Chennai Metropolitan Area, which comes under the jurisdiction of the CMDA.