Delhi govt replaces multiple NOCs with single-window cinema licence system

Delhi has scrapped the multi-department NOC system for cinema licences and introduced a single-window online process with fixed timelines, under a new Standard Operating Procedure. Applicants can now submit applications, pay fees, undergo inspections and receive licences through the e-District Delhi portal, ending the need for separate clearances from police, fire, municipal, Delhi Jal Board and health departments.

Two district-level committees have been created. The District Inspection Committee, headed by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate, will conduct joint inspections and upload a single e-signed, geotagged report. The District Licensing Committee, led by the Deputy Commissioner/District Magistrate, will take the final decision. The SOP sets a seven-day limit for initial scrutiny, 45 days for inspection, and 30 days for the licensing decision. If the committee fails to decide within the deadline and the inspection confirms compliance, the licence will be automatically generated on the portal, though this provision does not apply if safety norms are not met.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the system eliminates unnecessary delays and coordination issues. The police no longer issue licences independently but remain involved in safety and inspections. Safety checks continue through annual joint inspections and two mandatory mock drills per year. The SOP, finalised in 2015, has now been implemented. Licences can be suspended or cancelled if public safety is at risk.