Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) is planning a number of changes to the building rules framed in 2009.
The proposed changes include a plan to allow more constructed space on plots near Metro rail corridors and facing roads of width 12 metres or more but less than 15 metres, and a push for electric cars in big residential complexes and solar power for any building that has five or more storeys, KMC officials said.
The civic house will take up the proposals on Wednesday.
“As the city grows, there is always a need to amend the building rules to make them more realistic and in tune with the times,” said an official. Some of the proposed changes.
Commercial space
The KMC official said there were many small plots along arterial roads such as AJC Bose Road or APC Road where the demand for commercial space is more than that of residential space. However, large commercial buildings cannot come up on small plots because of restrictions.
“There is a proposal that if a commercial building is built on a small plot, the open space can be the same as what is required of a residential property on a plot of the same size,” an official said.
Residential buildings do not have to leave as much open space as commercial buildings.
“This is being done so that these plots are utilised better and big commercial spaces can come up on the plots,” the official said.
At present, owners of such plots take permission to erect a residential building but later set up commercial establishments there in violation of rules.
Green push
Another change being considered is reserving half the car parking space in big residential complexes for electric vehicles.
“Since electric cars will emerge in a big way, we have included this provision,” said an official.
Besides, any building that is at least 15.5 metres tall must generate 1 per cent of its electricity requirement through solar panels. “The existing rules say solar panels have to be installed. We want to quantify how much electricity has to be generated through the panels. The directions are clearer now,” said the official.
Residential complexes
In the proposed amendments, the KMC has defined a “big residential complex” as one with a total built-up area of more than 10,000 square metre or 1.07 lakh square feet and at least 50 apartments.
The term “big residential complex” is now open to interpretation in the absence of a definition.
“The definition will help these complexes get more car parking space. In the absence of a definition of a big residential complex, some were given permission to keep more car parking space, while others were not,” said the official.
Additional floor area
Plots that are located between 11.25 metre and 1km on either side of a Metro Railway corridor and along roads with width 12 metres or more but less than 15 metres will be allowed additional constructed space.
One of the proposed amendments says such plots will get 12 per cent additional floor area ratio (FAR), which is a measure of the built space on a plot. “There is scope for construction in such areas and there is also a demand for it. The amendment will help create more constructed space where people can live,” said the KMC official.
Bar on construction
The KMC proposes a complete ban on any construction within 11.25 metres on either side of the centre line of any Metro corridor.
A KMC official said this provision is being included as the Metro authorities often complain that movement of fire engines and other service vehicles are being impeded because of properties built very close to the railway corridor.
An architect said this provision could affect owners of plots close to the Metro line between Tollygunge and New Garia. This provision will also affect plots on those stretches where the Metro corridor is running along one side, and not through the middle, of a road, an architect said.
Key points
Some of the proposed changes to building rules
⚫ If a commercial building comes up on a small plot along an arterial road, the open space can be the same as what is required of a residential property on a plot of the same size.
⚫ Half the car parking space in a big residential complex has to be reserved for electric vehicles.
⚫ 1 per cent of the power requirement in a building that is at least 15.5 metres tall must be generated through solar panels installed on the premises.
⚫ Plots near any Metro corridor and along roads of width 12 metres or more but less than 15 metres will be allowed 12 per cent additional floor area ratio.
⚫ No construction will be allowed on plots within 11.25 metres on either side of the centre line of any Metro corridor.
