The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) has rejected the demand of the Chennai Corporation for devolution of powers to issue development rights certificate.
Development rights certificates are issued by the CMDA to property owners who stand to lose their land because of upcoming infrastructure development projects, such as the metro rail.
The development rights certificate enables the property owner to claim additional built-up area (floor space index) in lieu of the area surrendered to the government agency.
The certificate can also be used by owners to transfer development rights to a buyer. So far, four provisional development rights certificates have been issued.
The Chennai Corporation Council had passed a resolution a few months ago seeking devolution of powers by the CMDA to issue transfer of development rights. After a series of meetings held over the past few months by senior officials of Chennai Corporation and urban planners of the CMDA, the decision to reject the demand of the civic body was taken because of concerns raised on “security aspects in the development rights certificate.”
According to CMDA officials, the presence of two agencies to issue the same certificate would create confusion among the residents. It may also lead to duplication of the process and subsequently create problems for residents.
Chennai Corporation has however been permitted to process applications for planning permission, including those pertaining to TDR (Transfer of Development Rights).
