ELCOT Guidelines for IT Park NOCs and FSI Benefits

What the guidance covers

Electronics Corporation of Tamil Nadu Limited is the government-designated certifying authority for development of Information Technology Parks and for obtaining exemptions relating to Floor Space Index and other Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority norms. The designation comes from Government Order Ms. No. 13, Information Technology Department, dated 16 August 2002.

The guidance also refers to Government Order Ms. No. 180, Urban and Housing Development Department, dated 25 May 1998, Government Order Ms. No. 15, Information Technology Department, dated 21 July 2004, the Tamil Nadu Combined Development and Building Rules, 2019, Government Order Ms. No. 18, Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department, dated 4 February 2019, and Government Order Ms. No. 16, Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department, dated 31 January 2020.

Who is affected

The Electronics Corporation of Tamil Nadu Limited requirements apply to applicants seeking Floor Space Index benefits for buildings intended as Information Technology Parks, software and associated computer technology facilities, Information Technology Enabled Services facilities or bio-informatics units. They also apply to eligible applicants seeking return of the caution deposit after the required operating period.

Permitted activities include:

• Hardware manufacture.
• Software development and associated computer communication technology applications.
• Bio-informatics units.
• Connected offices, conference halls and projection theatres.

Showrooms, unrelated offices, residential uses and similar activities are not permitted.

Main development requirements

• The site must abut a road at least 12 metres wide, or have access through a passage at least 12 metres wide connecting to a public road at least 12 metres wide.
• Additional Floor Space Index up to 0.5 may be obtained without premium charges for developments abutting roads 18 metres wide or more.
• Additional Floor Space Index up to 0.25 may be obtained without premium charges for developments abutting roads from 12 metres up to 18 metres wide.
• Premium charges apply to additional Floor Space Index beyond those limits.

Caution deposit and refund NOC

An applicant other than a government department or agency must provide a caution deposit before building permission. It must be the higher of 10 per cent of the guideline value of the land area, or 20 per cent of the guideline value of the land area equal to the additional floor area obtained. An irrevocable bank guarantee from a scheduled bank is acceptable.

The bank guarantee may be returned after five years from complete occupation and commencement of commercial operations. Electronics Corporation of Tamil Nadu Limited must certify continuous use as an Information Technology Park or bio-informatics unit for those five years. Valid supporting documents, such as a certificate from Software Technology Parks of India, must be submitted. The stated NOC processing time is 30 days from receipt of a complete application with valid documents.