HYDERABAD: A building regulation incorporated into the New Building Rules (GO 168) nearly 14 years ago, restricting construction permissions on residential plots less than 20 feet wide, has triggered widespread protests from citizens and real estate developers after the state govt decided to enforce it by making changes to the ‘BuildNow’ software, the online platform for receiving building permission applications.While the govt’s intention is to curb unauthorised multi-storey constructions on small plots, which have contributed to building collapse incidents and haphazard urban development, the move has drawn sharp criticism from small plot owners and realtors.They argue that the restriction disproportionately affects economically weaker sections and middle-class families who cannot afford to purchase larger plots.
Site inspection
Facing growing criticism from citizens, officials of the municipal administration and urban development (MAUD) department said the govt was incorporating necessary changes in the BuildNow software to accept applications, at least in respect of existing old buildings, to facilitate their reconstruction.Official sources said the govt had issued GO 168, prescribing common building rules across the state, in April 2012.
Officials told to inspect site before granting nod
The rules govern building heights, road widths, setbacks and other construction-related parameters in areas falling under the GHMC, HMDA limits and other ULBs.Under these rules, building permissions were not to be granted for residential plots measuring less than 20 feet in width.The provision was introduced primarily to discourage subdivision of plots and prevent unplanned and haphazard urban development. However, despite the rule being part of the regulations for nearly 14 years, town planning officials had not been strictly enforcing it and continued to permit constructions on such plots.Following a series of recent building collapse incidents the authorities decided to enforce the provision.Consequently, a few months ago, the application system was modified to automatically reject building permission applications if the plot width abutting the road was less than 20 feet.The sudden enforcement of the provision triggered widespread resentment, particularly among owners of small plots in the Old City and older settlement areas of Hyderabad.Many of these properties were developed decades ago on plots measuring just 60 to 70 square yards, or even smaller, with road-facing widths of less than 20 feet.“When the rules were framed in 2012, the then govt adopted provisions from the NBC that was in force at the time. Secondly, some real estate developers had started subdividing plots to circumvent the mortgage rule, which applies to plots measuring more than 200 square metres. The govt decided to enforce the provision and made the necessary changes in the BuildNow software a couple of months ago, following requests from municipal commissioners,” a senior municipal administration department official told TOI.Officials also cited practical difficulties associated with providing basic amenities in extremely narrow plots.According to them, a minimum width of six metres is required to ensure adequate room dimensions and provide essential facilities such as drainage and other infrastructure.However, Malkajgiri Municipal Corporation chief city planner K Pradeep Kumar said the govt had addressed some of the concerns relating to plots with a road-facing width of less than 20 feet.“There were certain issues concerning plots with a road-facing width of less than 20 feet. The govt has made the necessary changes in the BuildNow software, and we are now allowing applications for such plots as well,” he said.Officials of the municipal administration said that although the system was now accepting applications, town planning officials had been instructed to conduct site inspections before granting permissions. They added that officials had also been advised to adopt a more flexible approach towards old buildings.“The govt says that even on plots measuring 75 square yards, people can construct houses without leaving setbacks. However, officials are not granting permission for such constructions,” said Telangana Realtors’ Association president Naragoni Praveen Kumar.
