Real Estate projects are often delayed due to lot of compliance and formalities involved. Lot of paper work and clearance is required for which the builder and developer has to move from one department to another. In the process the cost of project increases before the actual project starts ultimately leading to increase in the prices for the end user. Single window clearance system is the need of the hour all across the country. This system can enable an entrepreneur to start a project without objection from any other institutions once it is cleared by the Clearance Board.

The Confederation of Real Estate Developers’ Associations of India (CREDAI) have brought out a model draft for speedy approval of projects through a single-window clearance. An expert group is set up by the government to look into the draft of the single window clearance Act. It will submit the report within three months.”

To know what India Inc thinks about this system. Project Reporter posed a question to cross section of the society about whether single window system should be adopted. Around 93% of the respondents were in favour. The views of some of the respondents are provided below. Edited Excerpts:

Jayaram, Managing Director, Rasi Buildings
Single window clearance is a good system provided all the areas are covered and after the approval there should be no further process that makes to start the process again.

C. Ezhil Maran, Architect, Arann Architects
The formalities involved in obtaining department clearances have exponentially increased without sufficient tech support in the department offices. In Madras, for obtaining an approval to build a multi-storey building, the promoter has to run from pillar to post, engage middle-men, get sanctions from seven departments, spend a fortune and yet the entire process will take nothing less than a year. The solution to this menace is to bring the complete process under a single window governed by an autonomous body.

Shrikant S Bairagi, Managing Director, Husco Hydraulics
As an ordinary citizen of India, I support a single window mechanism to hasten approval and clearance of housing projects. This will help to reduce bureaucracy, improve efficiency which should result in significant savings that should be passed on to end.

M.K.Srivastava, Jt.President (Projects), Gujarat Sidhee Cement Ltd
Single window clearance will assist the builder / developer to operate a transparent, corruption- free business with timely deliveries at stated cost.

Sunil Sarna, DGM (HR & Admin), Ashoka Buildcon Ltd
Good. This will help in completing the projects in time and save costs.

Pramod, DGM Sales & Mktg, Elkay Chemicals Pvt Ltd
This issue is complex and in single window matters will attract troubles than ease. This is only possible if system works.

Sandeepkumar Agrawal, Asstt. Manager, Indiabulls Power Ltd
Single window clearance will help in saving lot of time taken for clearances as Developer will now be able to work on all clearances parellely. Earlier developer has to apply for clearances in series getting all clearances one by one.

Sekhar Kumar Banerjee, Regional Head, India Polyroads
Single window system will reduce the total time of completion thus reduce inflation and the customers will be benefited.

Amar Manohar Pore, Manager, Mighty Group
Various Noc`s from various departments required for approval of project. It take huge time which result in delay of project completion date. So ultimately cost increase also customer not get possession on time. Due to single window system it became easier.

S C Gupta, Structural Consultant, Consulting Firm
In addition to the fast tracking of the projects, it will also reduce the overheads of builders and corruption which can be passed on to the buyers.

A R Krishna Murthy, General Manager (Finance), BEL
Contacting multiple agencies for clearance is neither desirable nor a good governance prescription. The inputs to the projects are known and so long as no deviations from prescriptions are seen, one window should give all clearances which is valid across.

Srinivas, House Owner
We are undergoing tremendous pressures getting approval for our proposed residential building, running from Pillar to Post. In fact, even in the same Office, we have to meet several Officers with differing views. Now, we have to get approval from the Coastal Regulatory Authority, which has not even been formed for the past 3 months.

Prasanna B, Deputy Manager, Essar Projects India Ltd
Absolutely. Especially a single window for clearances relating to Land acquisition and environmental issues. This not only helps the project progress but also increases the possibility of potential budgetary burdens.

Rajeshwar Reddy, ASM, Penna Cement Inds Ltd
Single window clearance system will help to stop rampant project delays and will also effectively check cost and price spiral prevailing in the industry which will also address the low business confidence of new investors in India as well as from abroad.

SK Roy, Manager QA/QC, CBL
In single window system approval depends on a single person quality of knowledge and his check point, he can miss several check points.

Vikas, AM, GIL
It is correct that all the system should be run through single window as it can save from red tapism & and also from more corruption as we know we have to give to all who are part of the system.

Dr R Pinto, Dy GM, VHPL
It would be a great practice & streamline procedure & make it transparent.