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.
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