Anupam Pal, Kailashahar
Residents under the jurisdiction of Kailashahar Municipal Council are facing severe difficulties as their submitted building construction approval plans remain pending without authorization. As a result, the government is losing valuable revenue. Many citizens are eager to construct two-storied buildings, but due to the municipality’s indifference and administrative complications, they are unable to begin construction.
Reportedly, until recently, approvals for existing (old) buildings were processed offline. However, that offline system was suddenly discontinued. Now, all applications must be submitted online through a special software called ‘Auto DCR’ (Automated Development Control Regulations). The core problem lies here — most building planners in the state are inexperienced in using this new software. Consequently, citizens’ applications are getting stuck, time is being wasted, and state revenue is being hampered.
According to sources in the Kailashahar Municipal Council, they have repeatedly requested the government to organize a training or workshop on using the Auto DCR software, but there has been no response from the administration. It has been learned that the software was launched through a third-party vendor, who should have been responsible for training the building planners and ensuring their familiarity with the system.
Public frustration in Kailashahar is increasing, particularly since it is a flood-prone area, where many people wish to build two-storied houses for safety. The eastern wards of the municipality — including the Durgapur region — are among the most vulnerable. During the 2018 floods, a dam in this area collapsed, submerging part of the town within minutes. Since then, residents have been eager to build multi-storeyed homes for safety, but without proper approval, they remain helpless.
Meanwhile, allegations have surfaced that a local engineer, bypassing the town’s licensed planners, is secretly granting approvals in exchange for hefty payments in collaboration with a building planner from Kumarghat. Investigation reveals that the planner from Kumarghat is directly linked with the third-party company managing the Auto DCR software. As a result, local planners are being intentionally deprived of necessary training, according to complaints.
When contacted, Chairperson Chapala Debroy and Assistant Engineer Subrata Deb of the Kailashahar Municipal Council responded to the issue. Subrata Deb stated, “In the new Auto DCR system, there is no category for ‘existing’ buildings. Only new or renewal applications can be approved.” Chairperson Chapla Debroy said, “A meeting was held last Friday on this matter. A total of 36 applications have been submitted, and it has been decided to process them offline. However, I am not yet fully aware of the technical details of the new Auto DCR system. The Deputy Executive Officer knows more about it, but he is not in office today.”
It is noteworthy that the new Auto DCR system was implemented statewide on August 26. Since its introduction, citizens have been facing numerous problems. The Chairperson further mentioned, “We have already informed higher authorities to arrange software training for building planners, but no response has been received yet.”
As a result, due to administrative negligence and technological inexperience, ordinary citizens are now facing immense trouble. The government is losing significant revenue, and the town’s development remains stuck in bureaucratic limbo.
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