CHANDIGARH, Nov. 6 -- In a move aimed at easing regulatory hurdles and promoting investment, the Punjab government has allowed applicants undertaking standalone projects to obtain change of land use (CLU) permission either separately or simultaneously with building plan approval, paving the way for a single-window clearance instead of two separate approval processes.

Standalone projects are individual development or construction ventures independent of larger residential or commercial colonies. Under the earlier procedure, applicants were required to secure CLU permission separately before seeking building plan approval. The revised mechanism now allows them to apply for both clearances simultaneously and obtain a consolidated approval, ...