The Times of India              11.07.2013

Vuda starts off e-approvals with planning wing

VISAKHAPATNAM: In a bid to provide transparent and timely services, Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority (Vuda) rolled out the online facility for obtaining approvals and permissions from the planning wing at its premises here on Wednesday.

Speaking on the occasion, Vuda vice-chairman N Yuvaraj said that applications for building permissions, layout approvals and change of land use would henceforth be received only through the online mode.

With this, applicants availing approvals for these facilities from the urban and rural areas that fall under Vuda's jurisdiction, which is spread over 5,573 square kilometers in Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam and East Godavari, will now have to submit applications through the Vuda website only.

Though to begin with, the online facility has been introduced in the planning wing as it constitutes a major chunk of Vuda's responsibilities, it will also be extended to other wings of Vuda in a phased manner, Yuvaraj said, pointing out that soon the other services like issuing of sale permissions, no objection certificates and registrations by the administrative wing too will go online.

Earlier, applications were received manually and routed through various levels up to the chief urban planner and finally the vice-chairman for issue of approval.

With the introduction of the online facility, Vuda officials applicants can find out the status of their applications without having to visit the offices. The file, with remarks by the concerned staff, will reach higher officials such as planning officer and chief urban planner.

After proper scrutiny and observations by the chief urban planner, the applicant will be informed about shortfalls, if any, or will be marked for field inspection by the corresponding team. Any shortcomings in the applications received online will be intimated immediately after scrutiny by the officials either through SMS or email.

Yuvaraj said that a separate kiosk has been arranged for receiving online applications at the Vuda office. Applications received from July 1 and pending so far with the planning wing will also be converted and linked to the online facility to streamline the functioning of the wing, he added.