The Builders Association of India (BAI) has called for urgent reforms to streamline the Tamil Nadu Real Estate Regulatory Authority (TNRERA) approval process, citing inefficiencies that contribute to prolonged delays and higher compliance costs. Developers emphasised the need for systematic changes to facilitate a smoother approval journey and promote industry growth.
Under the current framework, TNRERA approvals often take 50–60 days—almost double the stipulated 30-day timeline. Developers argue that raising all compliance queries simultaneously and inviting applicants to discussions, as practiced by the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA), could significantly expedite the process. Another critical concern revolves around discrepancies in property measurements. Builders highlighted that minor variations in land extents, particularly in layouts, often lead to avoidable delays. They urged the authorities to adopt a more lenient stance on these minor discrepancies to improve efficiency. To reduce compliance burdens, developers proposed exempting the mandatory chartered accountant (CA) signatures for quarterly progress reports (QPRs), given the financial strain they impose. Suggestions also included accepting scanned copies of original documents for redevelopment projects and requiring only final-page signatures on soil test reports. These measures aim to minimise redundant procedures and enhance operational ease.
In a bid to foster inter-departmental efficiency, builders recommended document-sharing mechanisms between agencies like CMDA, Directorate of Town and Country Planning (DTCP), and TNRERA. This integration would eliminate repetitive submissions, saving both time and resources. Concerns over public disclosure of legal title documents were also raised. Developers expressed fears that unrestricted access could lead to misuse by malicious actors, potentially harming property owners. They called for restricted viewing rights to protect stakeholders. Moreover, builders emphasised the need for a balanced approach to penalties levied on pre-RERA sales, arguing that the recently introduced fines could stifle growth in the sector. Advocating these reforms, the industry hopes to align TNRERA processes with the evolving demands of Tamil Nadu’s dynamic real estate sector.
