Dr Mahesh Sharma launches the NOC Online Application Portal and Processing System (NOAPS) for the National Monument Authority (NMA)

Dr Mahesh Sharma launches the NOC Online Application Portal and Processing System (NOAPS) for the National Monument Authority (NMA)

NOAPS a major step to promote transparency in administration 

The Minister of State for Culture (Independent Charge), Tourism (Independent Charge) and Civil Aviation,Dr. Mahesh Sharma, today launched the NOC Online Application Portal and Processing System (NOAPS) for the National Monument Authority (NMA), Ministry of Culture at Samrat Hotel in New Delhi. The NOAPS will be available on http://nmanoc.nic.in./

NOAPS is an initiative taken by the National Monument Authority for streamlining of approval procedure for construction related activities in regulated/restricted areas in the vicinity of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) protected monuments in various cities of India.

Speaking on the Occasion, Dr Mahesh Sharma said that the Government is determined to give a transparent administration and NOAPS is one such step in this direction. The Ministry of Culture is taking help of ISRO to calculate accurate measurements of Geo Co-ordinates of various monuments. The property owners can also calculate the geo-coordinates and can find out if it is possible to carry out any construction as permissible, the Minister explained. Dr. Mahesh Sharma elaborated that it will also help to solve the problem of encroachments around the historic monuments.  He said that it will greatly add to the convenience of the people since they no longer need to run to local offices to get NOC for their property which is nearby to monuments. The mobile app , which is coming shortly, will provide even greater convenience, the Minister added.

The Secretary, Culture, Shri N.K Sinha said that the unique initiative will reduce the dependency of the people on administration. This is a people’s Portal and its success will depend on the people’s participation.

The Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Shri N.K.Sinha & other senior officials of NMA, ASI and various Competent Authorities from States and Union territories were present at the function.

The(NOAPS) Portal has been designed by NIC and incorporates state of the art technology.  The Portal has utilized the technology and expertise of Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), who are in the process of mapping all 3886 ASI protected monuments.  They are also developing a user friendly mobile app., which can be downloaded free of cost by an applicant and can be used to upload the geo coordinates of his plot with the prohibited/regulated area of the monument. 

With NOAPS portal, all the applicants will apply for NOC online and they will be provided a unique registration id with which they can check the status of their applications from time to time.

The whole online system will automatically inform the applicant about the permissible height and other restrictions regarding the proposed construction activity.

For more details on National Monument Authority, kindly click the link below:

Background note on National Monuments Authority (NMA)

The National Monuments Authority is a quasi judicial body which is empowered to make recommendations to the Central Government for grading and classifying centrally protected monuments and protected areas declared as of national importance. The NMA makes recommendations for grant of permission for repair, renovation and construction within the prohibited area (100 meters) and the regulated area (100 to 300 meters) of the notified limit of the ASI protected monuments. The Authority (NMA) works through 32 Competent Authorities in all the States and Union territories. The Authority also oversees the working of these notified Competent Authorities. The most important function of the Authority is to oversee the preparation of monuments specific heritage bye-laws in respect of 3686 ASI protected monuments. Keeping in view the vision of Hon'ble Prime Minister of India regarding "e-governance" and "ease of doing business" the National Monuments Authority had undertaken the project of developing its online web portal called "NOC Online Application Portal and Processing System (NOAPS)". The Portal has been designed by NIC and incorporates state of the art technology. The Portal has utilized the technology and expertise of Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), who are in the process of mapping all 3886 ASI protected monuments. They are also developing a user friendly mobile app., which can be downloaded free of cost by an applicant and can be used to upload the geo coordinates of his plot with the prohibited/regulated area of the monument. The whole online system will automatically inform the applicant about the permissible height and other restrictions regarding the proposed construction activity. The tangible or built heritage in the form of monuments and archaeological remains is a legacy handed over to us by our ancestors. The National Monuments Authority has a duty to preserve and protect this valuable heritage so that it could be passed on to the future generations. With rapid urbanization, the monuments are facing tremendous pressure of increased construction activity. The NMA is mandated to regulate such construction activity within the vicinity of the monuments, which at the same time should also not unduly inconvenience the general public. The development and launch of this online web portal is a step in that direction.