Builders hope for review of CMDA rules

By S.Shanker

CHENNAI, SEPT. 27. Builders in the suburban areas are hoping that the CMDA would review the present rules following the regularisation drive.

They point out that very few suburban localities have the infrastructure or the necessary road width for construction of multi-storeyed buildings.

The Chennai Suburban Builders Association president, Mr. G. Mohan, citing Alandur as an example, say the road width of over 80 per cent of the town's 765 streets is 30 feet or less. This leaves little scope for construction of multi-storeyed complexes on a large scale.

Builders blame the deviations on the rules relating to `G plus 1'. There are very few buildings that conform to the rules. If the number of dwellings is more than five, they would come under the special buildings category, for which the set-back space would have to be more than that stipulated for `G plus 1'.

The restriction on dwelling units appears to have forced the builders to sub-divide large plots to circumvent and minimise the extent of deviation and, more importantly, obtain plan sanction from the local bodies. The sub-division permits kitchens in multiples of four, depending on the number of plots. However, each sub-divided plot should have provision for set-back space, which reduces the total construction area.

In the case of plots whose length is over 60 feet, a 10-feet set- back space would have to be provided in the rear. Builders question the purpose of this stipulation, saying it would be better if allowed in the front for parking.

No common compound wall is permitted for plots which are sub- divided for increasing the number of dwelling units. Boundary walls around multiple plots would result in the reclassification of the building under group housing. In any case, set-back space and sub-division do not allow builders to achieve the permitted 1.5 FSI.

More than the compulsions of the DCR, the builders say they would have to factor in the marketability of the flats. With the middle class people preferring suburban areas owing to financial constraints, the general preference is for units costing not over Rs.7.lakhs.

With a number of companies entering the housing finance business, the buyers' potential for borrowing has increased. However, the regularisation drive has left flat owners worrying about the state of their homes, threatened by the clause relating to demolition of building for violations.

At a recent meeting of the builders association, many members said the most affected were their clients to whom they had sold the flats.

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