HT Correspondent
ITANAGAR, July 31: In a major step towards digitising public services and enhancing the Ease of Doing Business, Arunachal Pradesh recently launched the Online Building Permission System (OBPS), a digital platform designed to streamline the process of obtaining construction permits across the state.
The initiative was formally launched by Urban Affairs Minister Balo Raja at a ceremony held in Itanagar on July 30, in the presence of Itanagar MLA and Advisor to the Minister for Urban Affairs Techi Kaso, chief secretary Manish Kumar Gupta, and senior officials from various engineering departments and directorates.
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According to an official statement, the OBPS is aimed at improving efficiency, transparency, and accessibility in the approval of building permits, ensuring that both private and government applicants can now avail services through a hassle-free digital process.
From this point onward, all building construction permits in Arunachal Pradesh will be processed exclusively through the OBPS portal.
Speaking at the launch, Minister Balo Raja said the online system would benefit citizens across all districts and sectors—public, private, and business—by making the permitting process more convenient and faster. “The OBPS is a reflection of the state government’s commitment to reform and digital governance. It complements the central goal of Ease of Doing Business and ensures that the public receives timely and transparent services,” he said.
He also emphasised the importance of wide publicity and public awareness to ensure compliance with the new digital norms.
The Minister further informed that the Directorate of Town Planning would upgrade its official website from a static to a dynamic platform to support the OBPS.
This transition will enable a more interactive and user-friendly interface capable of managing large volumes of data and facilitating online banking transactions linked to the permission process.
Chief secretary Manish Kumar Gupta described the occasion as “historic,” noting that OBPS will significantly reduce the time and complexity involved in acquiring construction approvals.
“A key strength of OBPS is its in-built flexibility. The system allows for customisation and upgrades as per departmental or user requirements,” he said.
He also stated that in future, the responsibility for implementation of OBPS will be transferred to Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) or, in their absence, to Deputy Commissioner-led Local Planning Authorities.
Secretary of Urban Affairs Nyali Ete provided an overview of the background and framework of OBPS.
He informed that architects and other professional practitioners must register with the system to apply for permits.
He added that OBPS will eventually be managed by Local Planning Authorities in each district, headed by the Deputy Commissioner and assisted by Town Planners as Member Secretaries.
The OBPS project is a joint initiative of the Town and Country Planning Organisation (TCPO) under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India, and the Directorate of Town Planning, Department of Urban Affairs, Government of Arunachal Pradesh.
Technical support for the platform has been provided by NIC Shillong. The e-DCR (Electronic Development Control Regulation) software integrated into the OBPS has been developed by M/s E-Government Foundation, Bangalore, while NIC Shillong contributed to system flow design and integration of the Arunachal Pradesh Building Bye-Laws (APBBL) 2019.
The development costs of the software were entirely borne by the Union Ministry as part of the Urban Reforms under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT).
The OBPS marks a significant stride towards digital governance and improved urban planning mechanisms in Arunachal Pradesh.
The platform, now live at https://arunachaltp.nic.in, is expected to offer citizens a more efficient and user-friendly experience while securing construction approvals.
