Jammu, March 9 (NationPress) The government of Jammu and Kashmir has officially announced changes to the Unified Building Bye-Laws (UBBL) 2021 on Tuesday, as part of the Jammu and Kashmir Development Act of 1970 and the Jammu and Kashmir Municipal Act of 2000.

An official announcement stated, "This initiative is designed to enhance the Ease of Doing Business, streamline development regulations, and digitize the approval process."

"These reforms are anticipated to bolster compliance throughout all Urban Local Bodies and development authorities within the Union Territory. The amendments simplify land usage regulations, consolidate various sub-categories into four main categories, and permit Affordable Group Housing in industrial zones, thus encouraging inclusive land use practices."

"Setback regulations have been optimized, and the Commercial Floor Area Ratio (FAR) has been increased up to 400 (subject to specific norms), thereby augmenting development opportunities," the announcement continued.

"Moreover, the minimum Right of Way requirement for designated commercial and industrial activities has been decreased from 12 to 6 meters, fostering economic growth, particularly in smaller urban regions."

The Jammu and Kashmir government has also introduced the Auto Scrutiny Based Building Permission and Change of Land Use portal featuring Auto-DCR technology, which establishes a fully digital, rule-based, and time-sensitive approach to processing building approvals across all Urban Local Bodies and development authorities in the Union Territory.

"With the new system, online building plans are automatically evaluated against the provisions of the UBBL, Master Plans, Zonal Plans, and applicable development regulations," the statement elaborated.

The software swiftly generates compliance reports highlighting any discrepancies, thereby ensuring transparency and consistent interpretation of regulations, according to the announcement.

"The portal merges Change of Land Use with Building Permission, cutting down processing times from 60-90 days to just 30 days. It also allows for self-certification and auto-approval for low-risk structures, empowering registered architects and engineers to certify adherence to building standards."

"The system promotes transparency, consistent regulation interpretation, and removes subjectivity. Additionally, the Auto Scrutiny Portal enables online fee calculations, digital payments, real-time application tracking, downloadable approvals, and a digital archive of records."

Applicants can keep track of their application's status at all stages, assuring complete transparency. The amendments also introduce provisions for energy efficiency and environmental compliance, including Eco Niwas Samhita regulations, offering incentive-based benefits such as additional FAR and expedited approvals," the announcement concluded.

These extensive amendments signify a shift towards a transparent, technology-driven, and compliance-oriented urban governance model, ensuring planned, sustainable, and citizen-focused development throughout Jammu and Kashmir. The revamped portal can be accessed at https://obps.jk.gov.in.