Shooting films gets easy in city

Bollywood producers will no longer have to run from pillar to post to secure permission from various departments to shoot films in the city. Neelam Pandey reports.

Bollywood producers will no longer have to run from pillar to post to secure permission from various departments to shoot films in the city.

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In an attempt to boost tourism, the Delhi government has decided to have a single window system wherein the Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation (DTTDC) will issue permission to film producers.

Delhi chief secretary PK Triptahi has issued a circular, which states that producers won't have to seek multiple permissions, as is required at present.

"Delhi with its heritage, gardens and modern infrastructure needs to be projected as a major destination for film shootings. This is needed to provide required impetus to the tourism sector," reads the circular.

At present, film producers have to seek multiple permissions without having adequate knowledge of rules and procedures from authorities such as the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Delhi police, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) etc.

"In Delhi, various authorities like forest and environment, ASI, defence ministry besides, the police have their own procedures for issuing a no-objection certificate for shooting feature or documentary films etc," states the circular.

DTTDC will co-ordinate between various agencies to ensure that there is no delay in securing the permission.

"The film producer will only contact DTTDC, following which the corporation will co-ordinate with all agencies to ensure that the permission is granted. For this, a nodal officer will be appointed in every government agency," said a senior government official.

In addition to this, DTTDC will also collect information from all agencies concerned and compile it in the form of a manual, to be used by applicants.

"The manual will include consolidated information, instructions, guidelines and clearly mention the do's and don'ts about shooting films in Delhi."