10 August
A TRIAL is currently on to allow online applications to issue building permits in Yangon, according to the Yangon City Development Committee (YCDC).
The YCDC and the International Finance Corporation, a member of the World Bank group, launched the Pilot Test Phase for the new Yangon Building Permit System (YBPS) during a ceremony on Friday morning at the City Hall.
At the event, the Chief Minister of Yangon Region, U Phyo Min Thein, said that this is the first time an online submission system is being tested for construction permits.
“Earlier, there was a delay in applying for construction permits in Yangon Region. Once the automated system is launched in Yangon Region, the difficulties will be resolved,” he said.
He also said that he believed that the system will boost the development of Yangon City.
A risk-based system will be used in granting of construction permits, instead of a floor-based system. There will be three types of risk assigned to buildings, low, medium, and high. Low risk building projects will be limited to three-storey, medium risk buildings will have more than three floors, and high-risk building projects will involve construction of hotels, stadiums, and other types of buildings.
“Construction permits will be issued only to licensed architects and engineers. Although people who live in Yangon Region will be able to apply for a construction permit through the online submission system, the paperwork for the construction permits is currently available, and the permissions for low and medium risk projects will start in December,” said Daw Hlaing Maw Oo, the Secretary of the YCDC.
“At present, over 500 permits are being issued monthly and over 5,000 permits are being granted annually. With the number of construction projects increasing year over year, it will now take only five days to apply for a permit. The charges for the online permits can be cleared online through banks,” said U Tin Maung Kyi, the secretary of the YCDC Building Department. —Myint Maung Soe (Translated by La Wunn)
