Shillong, June 22: The Meghalaya government is now planning to identify some zones where it can restrict the height of buildings standing in proximity to "sensitive security areas" in the state capital after amending the Meghalaya Building Bylaws, 2011.

Rapid urbanisation, perhaps, has led to a significant increase in the number of high-rise buildings in the state capital over the years and these skyrise structures were built allegedly in violation of building bylaws.

"Security is one of the prime factors to be considered when such zones are identified which also include a recommendation on the permissible height limit of buildings standing close to sensitive security areas," officials in the Meghalaya urban affairs department said here today.

Sources said work to identify the zones would be undertaken by the Meghalaya Urban Development Authority (MUDA) throughout the state capital.

The hilly state capital, Shillong, has a number of areas which houses infrastructure such as the high court, secretariat, jail, police headquarters, Raj Bhavan, Assembly, bungalows for VIPs, military stations, which may be considered as "sensitive security areas". The airport, also considered to be sensitive area, is located about 35km from the state capital.

"Shillong being a hill city, the issue could be complicated. But once the zones are identified, it would be known clearly by drafting certain provisions and then incorporate them in the building bylaws through approval of the cabinet," sources said.

Interestingly, adjacent to the Shillong district jail here, the Meghalaya government has already permitted the construction of a multi-storied building.

The multi-storied building, most probably will be a five star hotel. From the top floor of this multi-storied building, one can have a clear view of the Shillong district jail beneath, and may pose security threat.

Last week, the Meghalaya cabinet had approved the proposal to amend Meghalaya Building Bylaws, 2011, to facilitate incorporation of "clear definitions" on basement floor and ground level and clear specifications of parking space for residential and apartment uses besides fixing of building height from ground level or basement level. The amendments also include fixing of permissible height of buildings to a maximum of four floors (14metres) without basement, and five floors (17metres) with basement wherever technically feasible.

The amendments to the building bylaws came in the wake of the orders of the Meghalaya High Court, which asked the district administration to seal 24 highrise buildings in the city for allegedly violating the building bylaws.