G.O.(Ms).No.126, Scrutiny of HRB application in Chennai Metropolitan Area, 2026

What the amendment changes

G.O.(Ms).No.126 dated 15 June 2026, issued by the Housing and Urban Development (UD-1) Department, substitutes the provision dealing with High-Rise Building plans in the Chennai Metropolitan Area. Under the previous wording, a plan was scrutinised and forwarded to the Government with the recommendation of a panel for approval.

Under the substituted process:

• A designated panel scrutinises the High-Rise Building plan for approval by the planning authority.
• Any suggestions or alterations recommended by the panel must be incorporated into the plan.
• After receiving the revised plan, the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority may grant or refuse planning permission.

The notification was directed to be published in the Tamil Nadu Government Gazette, Extraordinary, dated 15 June 2026.

Who is affected

The amended Tamil Nadu Combined Development and Building Rules, 2019 apply to applications for High-Rise Buildings within the Chennai Metropolitan Area. They directly affect applicants, developers, architects and other professionals involved in preparing or processing those planning permission applications.

The amendment does not describe a process for buildings outside the Chennai Metropolitan Area. It also does not state any fee, rate or application deadline.

Scrutiny panel

The High-Rise Building scrutiny panel consists of:

• The Member Secretary, Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority, as Chairman.
• The Director of Fire and Rescue Services.
• The Engineering Director, Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board.
• The Chief Planner, Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority.
• The Chief Engineer, Greater Chennai Corporation.
• The Chief Engineer, Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Limited.
• The Chief Engineer, Water Resource Department.
• The Chief Engineer, Public Works Department.
• The Additional, Joint or Deputy Commissioners of Police (Traffic) for Chennai, Avadi or Tambaram.
• A reputed architect nominated by the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority, who must not be the architect who designed the building.
• The concerned Executive Engineer, Assistant Executive Engineer or Assistant Engineer of the local body, wherever applicable, as a special invitee.
• The Senior Planner, Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority, as member and convener.

Practical significance

The amended approval route places the final decision on a High-Rise Building planning permission application with the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority. Panel scrutiny remains mandatory, and recommended changes must be incorporated before the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority decides whether to grant or refuse permission.