Integrated single-window system: Delhi govt notifies SOP to ease licensing process for cinema halls

The Delhi government has implemented a long-awaited Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to streamline the licensing process for cinema halls, addressing long-standing coordination issues between multiple departments and reducing unnecessary delays, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced on Monday. The SOP, finalized in 2015 but left unexecuted during the previous AAP-led government, will now be enforced, the CM stated, citing the Uphaar Cinema tragedy as a driving force behind its implementation.

Under the new system, the District Licensing Committee (DLC) in the Revenue department, led by the Deputy Commissioner (Revenue)/District Magistrate, will be the sole authority responsible for final licensing decisions, eliminating the need for separate No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from various agencies. A second committee, the District Inspection Committee (DIC), headed by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), will conduct joint inspections with the DLC.

The entire process will be conducted online via the e-District Delhi portal, with applicants required to submit a single integrated verification report instead of multiple NOCs. Time limits for each stage of the process have been set, with the DLC's decision expected within 30 days of receiving the inspection report. If the DLC fails to meet the deadline, the licence will be automatically issued by the portal if the inspection report confirms full compliance with statutory and safety requirements.

The Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) and the cinema hall will also conduct joint annual inspections, surprise inspections, and two mock drills each year to ensure public safety.