Instructions on Sewage Treatment Plants for Large Developments
The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority instruction dated 13 October 2009 was issued by Vikram Kapur, Member-Secretary, and takes immediate effect. It directs planning staff to require a sewage treatment plant for large residential and commercial developments in areas that are not properly sewered, even where an underground sewerage system is being built or the applicant has paid related local body charges.
What the instruction governs
The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority instruction dated 13 October 2009 deals with planning permission applications for large residential and commercial developments in areas without an operating underground sewerage system. It was issued by Vikram Kapur, Member-Secretary, for immediate effect. No order number is printed in the supplied text.
The instruction responds to applications received by the Area Plans Unit from developments in unsewered areas, including places where local bodies are at various stages of installing underground sewerage systems.
Who is affected
The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority instruction applies directly to planning staff handling applications in the Area Plans Unit. It was circulated to:
- All Deputy Planners of the Area Plans Unit.
- All Assistant Planners of the Area Plans Unit.
- Planning Assistants of the Area Plans Unit.
Applicants proposing large residential or commercial developments are affected when their sites are not served by an operating underground sewerage system. The text does not define the size or other criteria used to identify a large development.
Key requirements
The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority instruction sets out the following requirements:
- A large development cannot be exempted from providing a sewage treatment plant merely because an underground sewerage system is planned or being installed.
- Payment of charges to a local body for a future underground sewerage connection does not remove the sewage treatment plant requirement.
- Planning staff must insist on a sewage treatment plant before granting planning permission unless the area is properly sewered.
- The requirement is to be applied as envisaged in the Development Regulations.
- Operation of the sewage treatment plant must be verified at the completion certificate stage.
Practical effect for property projects
The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority instruction means that a developer cannot rely only on a proposed public sewerage project or proof of charges paid to a local body. If the area is not already properly sewered, the planning permission process should require an on-site sewage treatment plant, and the plant must be operating when the completion certificate is considered.
Property buyers and owners considering a large project in such an area should check whether an underground sewerage system is actually operational, rather than only planned or under construction.
This summary is generated from the source document to help you find what is relevant. The PDF above is authoritative. For advice on your own property, use LandLens One or speak to a qualified professional.
Common questions
Can a large development avoid installing a sewage treatment plant because an underground sewer is under construction?
No. A planned or partly executed underground sewerage system does not provide an exemption while the area remains not properly sewered.
Does paying sewerage charges to the local body remove the sewage treatment plant requirement?
No. The instruction states that payment of the necessary local body charges is not an acceptable reason for omitting a sewage treatment plant.
When will the sewage treatment plant be checked?
Its operation must be verified at the completion certificate stage.
Does the instruction apply to both residential and commercial projects?
Yes. It covers planning permission applications for large developments, both residential and commercial, in areas not served by underground sewerage systems.
