Height restriction to be imposed in buildings in Andhra Pradesh
Restrictions have been imposed by the Municipal Adiministration and Urban Development (MA&UD) department of Andhra Pradesh with regards to the height of buildings. This was following the department’s move to bring about amendments in the building rules so as to restrict the maximum height of buildings in the state.
Andhra Pradesh Building Rules specifies restrictions on height of buildings:
A Government Order (GO), no:469, was issued in this regard following the amendment of the rule 3 (J)(V) of the Andhra Pradesh Building Rules, 2012. According to this amendment, the government is entitled to put a cap on the height of buildings as well as regarding the nature of construction of buildings in particular areas. This is carried out either suo motu or after receiving a proposal from the Commissioner of the Nagar Panchayat, municipality, corporation or the housing society.
Factors for imposing of restrictions:
As per the government order, restrictions can be imposed in areas that lack infrastructure facilities. Besides, there are other considerations that include environment conservation, maintaining heritage spots, difficult terrain, road development, obstructing the view of ancient monumental structures as well as historical structures, as well as any other consideration that is of public interest.
HUDA regulations regarding height of buildings:
In the Hyderabad Urban Development Authority (HUDA) area, development is controlled or regulated based on two factors, namely the road width as well as the plot extent. High- rise buildings are generally permitted on roads with a width of 12.2m. However, the maximum permissible height of buildings depends on the width of the adjacent road. The set back parameters are governed based on the height of the building. While the Floor Space Index (FSI) and plot coverage have been excluded from being considered, the height and set back factors have to be suitably considered.
Housing societies request for imposition of restrictions:
In Hyderabad city, height restrictions on constructing buildings were imposed in areas like Banjara Hills and Jubilee Hills. However, no rules were formulated with regards to restriction in the height of buildings according to the existing building rules. However, many housing societies had approached officials in the MA&UD department seeking height restrictions on buildings in the society premises. This request was put forward with different objectives like maintaining the serenity of the atmosphere in the neighbourhood, avoiding discrepancies, construction of apartments, high-rises and commercial complexes within the housing society.
GHMC rules flouted:
According to reports from the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) commissioner, various instances of malpractices have been reported. There have been many instances where plot owners have obtained building permissions from the corporation for constructing individual residential buildings with ground plus four floors. However, it has come to the notice of officials that these were later converted into apartments or commercial complexes, by flouting the corporation rules.
