Glitches in Mumbai civic body’s online approval process could harm rankings

This could eventually affect Mumbai’s ranking in the EODB report that is to be published by the World Bank by October 31.

Mumbai

BMC, in 2016, introduced Auto-DCR which made permissions online to make the process transparent. (HT file photo)

In a major blow to the civic body’s much touted Ease Of Doing Business (EODB) initiative ahead of the World Bank’s ranking process, senior architects pointed out more than 100 glitches in the Auto-DCR, a software that allows building plans to be submitted online for approvals.

This could eventually affect Mumbai’s ranking in the EODB report that is to be published by the World Bank by October 31

While some said uploading large files of building plans are difficult, others said the software is unable to detect digital signature. Municipal commissioner Ajoy Mehta denied such claims saying, “No such complaints have been highlighted. If architects are facing such problems, they will have to notify the same to us with proof. We have reduced the time-frame of the process.”

India currently ranks 100 in EODB and 181 in clearing construction proposals. HT had earlier reported that a third-party audit by the Central government revealed several glitches in Mumbai and Delhi civic bodies’ online procedure to issue permissions to businesses. The World Bank ranking is decided on the basis of EODB in the two cities.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), in 2016, introduced Auto-DCR which made permissions online so as to make the process transparent. Under the EODB, the BMC also introduced single window clearance, online approvals, speedy remarks, other measures to make the sanctioning process smoother. However, a senior architect said, “What is the use of a software if the applicant ends up going to the civic official with problems. In this digital age, the software is not even able to detect a digital signature.”

Architects pointed out that applicants cannot make simple corrections like deleting uploaded photos and editing details. Another architect said, “The Auto-DCR is not linked with the BMC’s Geographical Information System (GIS) which makes it difficult to mention the location of our proposed plot.”