Leh: In a move aimed at streamlining the building approval process and ensuring regulated urban development, the Municipal Committee Leh has empanelled 12 architects under the provisions of the Ladakh Building Bye-laws, 2024. The empanelment, which will remain valid for a period of three years, is intended to bring greater transparency, professionalism, and technical compliance to the preparation and submission of building plans within the municipal jurisdiction.
The decision comes following an official call for applications issued on May 24, 2024, and further clarified through a corrigendum on June 14, 2025. After evaluating credentials and qualifications in line with the eligibility criteria outlined in the Bye-laws, the Committee finalized a list of 12 architects now authorized to prepare and certify building plans. These architects will be responsible for ensuring adherence to zoning norms, permissible Floor Area Ratio (FAR), setbacks, and structural safety standards in all submitted plans.
The empanelled architects will also play a key role in supporting the Municipal Committee in spreading public awareness about the building regulations, participating in grievance redressal processes, and educating citizens about the legal aspects of construction planning. Once operational, they will assist in the implementation of the Online Building Plan Approval System (OBPAS) or eDCR platform, which aims to digitize and simplify approvals.
Any deviation or misrepresentation in the drawings submitted by these architects will attract penal action under the relevant Bye-laws and applicable Acts or Rules. As part of the empanelment process, each architect is also required to pay a registration fee of ₹3,000 to the Municipal Committee.
This initiative marks a significant step forward in promoting safe, well-regulated, and sustainable urban growth in Leh. By involving certified professionals, the administration seeks to uphold quality standards in construction and accelerate infrastructure development in the Union Territory of Ladakh.
