Software to scrutinise building plans in Mumbai will cost BMC ₹8 crore

The software will create a single window for seeking clearance, allow changes to be made as and when the DCPR is modified and give out deficiency reports

To reduce manual intervention and save time, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will be developing a new software to scrutinise building plans as per old and new development control regulations (DCR). In view of the recently state-approved Development Control and Promotion Regulations (DCPR), the civic body has proposed to set up an Auto Scrutiny Model at the cost of about ₹8 crore.

In view of the recently state-approved Development Control and Promotion Regulations, the BMC has proposed to set up an Auto Scrutiny Model. (HT FILE)

According to BMC, the new software will scrutinise 3-dimensional plans of proposed buildings via a 3D-Building Information Module (3DBIM) before giving approval. Earlier, the building proposal department would check plans only in 2D, said an official on condition of anonymity.

"For the first time, Mumbai's building plans will be checked for compliance in all three dimensions. The software will check for regulations of all four – DCR 1967, DCR 1991, DCPR 2034 and Manori-Gorai's coastal development regulations of 2012 – at the same time," said the official.

BMC has proposed to build this software under the ease of doing business model. It will create a single window for seeking clearance, allow changes to be made as and when the DCPR is modified and give out deficiency reports and post-concession reports.

The proposal to appoint a bidder for the same, however, was not passed by the statutory standing committee on Monday. Yashwant Jadhav, chairperson of the committee, said, "The cost of the contract has increased tremendously from an initial estimate of ₹2.8 crore. We have asked the administration to give more details in the next meeting."

Even after extending the tender period, BMC received only one bid from SoftTech Engineers Ltd to develop the software in three months and maintain it for close to five years. Explaining the 115% jump in the cost, an official said, for a total cost of ₹8 crore, the contractor will also provide technical support, renew licenses, train civic staff to use the software and add modifications to it over the five years.