CREDAI Tamil Nadu Welcomes Government’s Decision to Empower CMDA for High-Rise Building Approvals
Chennai, June 18, 2026: CREDAI Tamil Nadu has warmly welcomed the Government of Tamil Nadu’s progressive decision to delegate powers to the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) to grant planning permission for High-Rise Building projects within the Chennai Metropolitan Area. The Confederation of Real Estate Developers’ Associations of India (CREDAI) highlighted this move as a very important and timely reform for Chennai’s real estate sector. The industry body extended its sincere thanks to the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Thiru S. Joseph Vijay, and the Housing and Urban Development Department for understanding the practical challenges faced by developers and for taking a decision that will simplify, speed up, and improve the approval process, CREDAI Tamil Nadu said in a press release.
Prior to this reform, high-rise building approvals had to pass through multiple grueling stages, including initial application, field inspection, detailed scrutiny, a High Rise Building Committee review, a recommendation to the Government, and finally a Government Order before planning permission could be officially granted. While every stage had its purpose, the overall process often resulted in considerable time delays. By empowering the CMDA to directly grant or refuse planning permission based on the recommendation of the High Rise Building Committee, the Government has created a more practical, accountable, and time-bound approval framework. This landmark decision is expected to bring greater confidence to developers, homebuyers, investors, and all stakeholders connected with Chennai’s urban growth.
Speaking from his own experience in the real estate industry, the spokesperson noted that every delay in approval has a direct impact on the entire project ecosystem. A project is not only a developer’s investment, but it also involves homebuyers waiting for their homes, bankers, contractors, engineers, architects, suppliers, construction workers, and many families dependent on timely execution. Even a few months of delay can increase project costs, affect cash flows, postpone launches, and ultimately impact the end customer.
CREDAI Tamil Nadu sees this as a highly positive reform that supports the ease of doing business while maintaining proper technical scrutiny and regulatory compliance. Faster approvals will help accelerate housing supply, encourage planned development, and contribute to the overall economic growth of Tamil Nadu.
At this important moment, CREDAI Tamil Nadu also made a humble submission to the Government that this progressive approach may be extended in a phased manner to other major cities of Tamil Nadu such as Coimbatore, Madurai, and Tiruchirappalli. Coimbatore and Madurai already have Urban Development Authorities constituted, and urban planning areas have also been notified for Coimbatore, Madurai, and Tiruchirappalli.
The association emphasized that these regional cities should be further strengthened with their own empowered planning and development authorities so that approvals can be processed and granted locally, without the need for every major approval to come to Chennai. According to the industry body, this will save time, improve accountability, support regional investment, and help Tamil Nadu’s cities grow in a planned and sustainable manner.
In its concluding statement, CREDAI Tamil Nadu once again expressed its heartfelt appreciation to the Hon’ble Chief Minister and the Government of Tamil Nadu for this forward-looking decision. The association reiterated that it remains committed to working closely with the Government, CMDA, DTCP, Urban Development Authorities, and all concerned departments to promote transparent, sustainable, and responsible development across the State.
