Green Signal for high rises
New Delhi: In what could possibly be the cause of a breather and provide huge relief to builders operating in congested (saturated/urbanised) or space deprived cities like Mumbai and delhi; the Environment Ministry has abrogated issuing green clearances for high-rise buildings on the basis of the width of the roads that they fall by the side of and the distance from fire-stations. The Environmet Ministry has delegated the State Government to make or amend the rules as they deem fit.
The changes have been brought on the account of several state governments with the government of Maharashtra state in particular pleading with the Union government to dispense the regulations which have been strongly opposed by builders.
Builders would be allowed to domiciliate higher multi storied sky scrapers and buildings on narrower lanes and roads within the cities.
As per the prior rules and regulations, buildings constructed on roads of atleast thirty meters and exceeding sixty meters in height were required to secure an environment clearance. Buildings such as these had to be located within a proximity of two kilometers from or of a fire station.
Buildings ranging from 45 to 60 meters in height need to have an approach road which is at least 24 metres wide and at not more than 5km from a fire station.
Buildings between the height of 30 to 45 metres had to be situated on roads which are atleast 18 metres wide with fire stations being within 10 kilometers away. Buildings ranging between 15 and 30 metres needed a 15 meter wide approach road, with absolutely no restrictions linked to the presence or proximity of fire stations.
The regulations of February 2012 also desired a no objection certificate (NOC) from the fire department of the state along with the national or state disaster management authorities.
Considering the safety measures required for high rise buildings and the increase of traffic within cities, the provisions were introduced.
However, facing a lot of criticism which was also supported by the PMO, the environment ministry set up a committee under the guidance of K.Kasturirangan – Planning Commission member. The committee was to review these norms and other clearance conditions applicable to roads, SEZs and the real estate sector. The panel recommended doing away with the regulations and leaving it to the state governments to regulate the safety codes.
