Date:30/10/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/10/30/stories/2007103050320100.htm

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Exclusive building rules for high-rises in State

N.J. Nair

Appointment of site-in-charge to become mandatory

There is spurt in construction activity in major cities
Increase in incidents of accidents at worksites

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Considering the inconsistencies in the Kerala Municipal Building Rules (KMBR), the government is planning to frame exclusive rules for regulating the construction of high-rises, mainly buildings above three storeys, to avert accidents and for better space management.

The spurt in construction activity in Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Kozhikode and the increasing number of accidents on worksites have prompted the government to impose curbs on constructing multi-storeyed buildings without adopting adequate safety precautions. Official sources said that builders were making use of the loopholes in KMBR to construct high-rises on plots without proper access and open space. Instead of revising the existing rules, exclusive rules armed with stringent provisions have been proposed to streamline the construction of multi-storeyed buildings.

Appointment of a site-in-charge, preferably an engineer, is likely to be made mandatory for all constructions. He will have to ensure that the building is being constructed in compliance with the rules and steps have been taken to ensure the safety of the workers as well as the adjacent structures.

The site-in-charge will be answerable for all developments, including accidents, during the course of construction, sources said.

Building coverage

At present, the building coverage in a plot goes up to 65 per cent. It is likely to be limited between 45 and 50 per cent in the case of high-rises.

Rules specify that a 5-metre wide access is mandatory for residential apartments and 7 metre for commercial buildings, but such norms are not being observed in the case of multi-storeyed structures. The width of the access is likely to be increased to ensure the free movement on vehicles.

Change in norms

The existing norm to provide 3 metre open space in the front and 2 metre on the sides of the buildings which have more than three storeys is also likely to be revised to provide sufficient parking space and also ensure the safety of the residents in the adjacent plots.

Builders may not be permitted to provide recreation space on the rooftop, which is likely to be made compulsory on the ground floor itself. Provisions may be incorporated to check conversion of open spaces for commercial purposes.

Local self-government institutions may be asked to conduct periodical inspections in all commercial and residential apartments to find out conversion of open spaces and ensure the proper maintenance of escalators and emergency staircases. The new rules will be framed in a time-bound manner and submitted to the Local Administration Department for final clearance, sources said.