The North News
Chandigarh, November 3
Punjab Housing and Urban Development Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian on Monday announced that the Bhagwant Mann-led government has introduced a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to streamline and speed up the process of granting licences for developing housing colonies across the state. Under the new policy, licences will be issued within 60 days of application submission — 30 days for the Letter of Intent and another 30 days for the final licence. The move is aimed at reviving Punjab’s real estate sector and reducing bureaucratic delays that have long slowed development projects.
Mundian said the process had earlier been lengthy and cumbersome, often leading to unnecessary delays by multiple authorities. The new SOP fixes specific timelines for all departments involved, including Planning, Accounts, Licensing, PPCB, PSPCL, Forest, Drainage, NHAI, and PWD, and makes every official accountable for meeting deadlines. Any unwarranted delay, he added, will attract disciplinary action.
Highlighting the sector’s importance to Punjab’s economy, the minister said the decision would boost investment, promote transparency, and generate employment opportunities. “Simplifying the licensing process will ease the burden on developers and give fresh momentum to the real estate sector,” Mundian said.
