Ranchi, May 7: In a move that would benefit thousands, the Ranchi Regional Development Authority (RRDA) has decided to regularise all illegal houses built after 1975 except those situated on agricultural plots, forest land or land belonging to tribals or the government.

The RRDA decision, taken after a board meeting today, will now enable thousands of residents in the state capital to take loans from private/government financial institutions by mortgaging their property.

“The decision would be implemented in Ranchi city only,” explained RRDA vice-chairman Maheshwar Prasad Mishra.

“Those buildings which were built after 1975 and whose maps were not approved by the RRDA would come under the purview,” he said, adding that RRDA would also regularise structures that had not followed building bylaws but whose deviations were within the “condone limit”.

To regularise a property, the owner would have to go through the mandatory procedures. He would have to apply for approval of proposed building maps, pay the fees and a minimum fine.

A team of RRDA engineers would then visit the site and submit its report on whether the property could be legalised or not. Engineers would also keep in mind the master plan of Ranchi drawn in 1980 for the approval.

RRDA has decided that engineers and architects preparing a particular map would also keep tabs on future constructions and check if there were deviations from the approved map.

“The concerned engineers/architects will physically check the construction plan up to plinth area and issue a certificate on whether the construction is going as per approved plan of RRDA. It would be their responsibility if houses are found violating norms,” said Mishra.

The state urban development department’s decision to okay the regularisation process would no doubt increase its revenues many fold.

Mishra clarified that the regularisation process would not require a change in the RRDA Act or building bylaws.

The RRDA move was likely to be welcomed by a large section of the people of Ranchi. But those in the construction business were sceptical. “It would lead to red tape and create more options for kickbacks among the ranks of RRDA,” said a builder.