Admn says no to habitable use of basements

Chandigarh, August 10   

In a decision which is bound to affect a number of traders and property owners, the Chandigarh Administration has withdrawn the permission for the  habitable use of basements in all categories of commercial properties.

 Sources said the Administration had withdrawn the permission in the Chandigarh Building Rules (Urban)- 2017 notified recently.   The decision will affect commercial properties where  the basement  is being used by traders. An official said the decision had been taken in view of the fire hazards and for disaster risk reduction.  The master plan was also not in favour of allowing the use  of basements  for the habitable  purpose. 

 Basements lack ventilation and exit  points,  which can be dangerous in case of a  fire. The traders opposed the move saying it could affect their  business.  Charanjiv Singh, chairman of the Chandigarh Beopar Mandal, said the permission should be continued as the traders were already facing space crunch in the city.  — TNS