State govt notifies new building bylaws

Sukhmeet Bhasin

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, December 4

The Punjab Government has notified new building bylaws and its notification copy has been sent to all municipal corporations and council offices in the state.

From now onwards, all new commercial and residential maps would be approved in accordance with these new bylaws.

Instead of building inspector, assistant town planner’s (ATP) responsibility has been fixed for the buildings which would come up against these new bylaws. Moreover, apart from the owner, the architect or civil engineer would be held responsible.

Bylaws have been made according to the use of the building, which includes house, group housing, independent floor, shop, showroom, commercial complex, hotel, multiplex, multistory, club, guest house, dhaba, nursery, schools and different types of industry.

Separate bylaws have been made for each sector and now MCB officials would not be able to change the bylaws as per their convenience.

As per the new bylaws, without the rainwater harvesting and building completion certificate, buildings would not get sewerage and water connection.

The building completion certificate is given on the completion of the construction of the building for which documents related to fire officer clearance, structure safety or stability certificate, along with the inspection report during the constructions, would be checked.

Now, it is also mandatory for the structures in more than 119 sq yards — residential, commercial and institutional — to install rainwater harvesting system to increase the reducing groundwater level.

The state government has given relief to the hosiery and textile industry as earlier 50 per cent of the more than 500 sq yards area was given approval but now this has been increased to 65 per cent and even its floor area ratio has also been increased from 1:1:20 to 1:2:50.

The floor ration area for other industry sector has also been increased to 1:2:00 while the government has increased the approach area to 40 feet from 33 feet.

Even the norm of leaving front, side and rear back area has been relaxed for the industry as now it can be left from any side and the covered area should be 65 per cent.