BMC Introduces AI and AutoDCR to Expedite Real Estate Approvals in Mumbai

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is taking a significant step forward in modernizing the real estate sector in Mumbai. Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide announced at a NAREDCO event that the civic body plans to introduce artificial intelligence (AI)-driven reforms and integrate them with autoDCR software. This move aims to automate building plan scrutiny and construction permit approvals, thereby accelerating clearances for the real estate sector.

Civic bodies across the country have started using autoDCR software for online submission and approval of building plans. AutoDCR is an AI-infused software platform that automates building plan scrutiny and construction permit approvals. It reads CAD drawings and maps them against local development control regulations (DCR) to ensure compliance, significantly accelerating approval times.

AutoDCR was introduced to improve transparency and curb malpractices by automatically checking key parameters such as building height, open spaces, and layout compliance. The system scans architectural drawings and verifies them against development control rules, reducing manual intervention and speeding up approvals.

Ten years ago, as part of the ease of doing business (EoDB) initiative, the BMC transitioned to autoDCR, becoming the first entity to take such a revolutionary step. The system has evolved, and the civic body is now working to further improve it. The state government, after streamlining development control regulations (DCR), has also adopted this system, said Ashwini Bhide while speaking at a NAREDCO change of guard event.

Many other corporations also look up to this system. We will continue to explore new ways to further improve the ease of doing business while ensuring the speed of doing business, she added.

According to Bhide, there are a lot of other things which we can do in terms of standardization of procedures. Whatever issues or limitations the current or Auto-DCR system has, we can improve on them, and another big tool, the kind of magic wand which we have, is artificial intelligence.

Bhide said a new phase for autoDCR is being developed using artificial intelligence to minimize human interaction further.

Niranjan Hiranandani, chairman of NAREDCO, emphasized the need to promote rental housing to achieve the goal of ‘Housing for All’. He said rental housing must be incentivized through tax reliefs and policy reforms to ensure affordability at scale.

While the rapid expansion of housing loans has improved home-buying affordability, supply-side innovations such as rental housing are essential to sustain this momentum and cater to diverse urban needs, he added.

Hiranandani was speaking at an event where Kamlesh Thakur, founder and managing director of Srishti Group, was elected as the new president of NAREDCO Maharashtra.