Punjab finally overhauls municipal building rules
NEW PARKING NORMS, RULES FOR ECOFRIENDLY BUILDINGS AND NEW CATEGORIES LIKE INDEPENDENT FLOORS DEFINED
CHANDIGARH: More than one-anda-half year after the ‘Draft Punjab Municipal Building Byelaws’ were formulated in May 2017, the department of local government has finally notified Punjab Municipal Building Byelaws, 2018.
The new rules, applicable to building activity in all municipal areas, depart from not only the older municipal building rules, 2010, but also from the draft rules of 2017. Now, the municipal building rules are in greater parity with PUDA building rules and Model Building Bylaws, 2016, issued by the Union ministry of urban development and poverty alleviation, and National Building Code (NBC)
MAJOR CHANGES Parking norms:
In the residential plotted category, while the ground coverage, floor area ratio, and road width remains the same, parking norms stand modified.
Parking has been made mandatory in residential plots, ranging from two scooter parking spaces and three ECS (equivalent car space) for plots depending on size. For plots smaller than 100 sq m, parking space must be left for two scooter parking; for plots 100 sq m to 150 sq m, 1 ECS; for 150 sq m to 200 sq m plots, 2 ECS; and for plots bigger than 200 sq m, 3 ECS. Green norms: In order to bring in alignment with National Sustainable Habitat Mission, the new building rules mandate that the municipalities shall encourage augmentation of green cover by following the Urban Greening Guidelines, 2014, of the Centre.
New bye-laws make it mandatory to have minimum one tree for every 80 sq m plot area for plot sizes greater than 100 sq m and planted within the setback of the plot. Also, compensatory plantation for felled trees in the ratio 1:3 within the premises under consideration.
For residential plots with 100 sq m area and above, water conservation and management like rainwater harvesting, low water consumption plumbing fixtures, waste water recycle; solar energy utilisation - installation of solar photovoltaic panels; and waste management segregation of waste is a must.
Ground water shall not be used for construction purposes. All building having a minimum discharge of 10,000 litre and above per day shall incorporate waste water recycling system. The recycled water should be used for horticultural purposes, stipulate the new rules.
Independent floor defined: While independent floor category has been clearly defined for some time now under the PUDA building rules, under the municipal building rules, the category gets defined for the first time. Minimum approach road should be 12 m, maximum height of the building is 15 m and maximum number of floors has been restricted to stilt plus 4 floors (S+4). Mandatory parking space for the category range from 1.5 ECS per dwelling unit (DW) to 3 ECS per DW. Significantly, plots proposed for independent floors shall be in row housing and earmarked for independent floors in the layout plan or zoning plan. No individual plot in any block which is not earmarked in the layout plan or zoning plan for independent floors shall be allowed to be constructed as an independent floor unless the building is detached having minimum plot area 800 sq m. The parking required in case of independent floors shall compulsory be under stilts.
Group housing: For group housing, minimum road width has been increased to 18 m (60 ft) from 40 ft. The minimum area remains the same.
Hotels and miniplexes: Hotels have been added as a new category and defined on same pattern as PUDA building rules with minimum plot size of 1,000 sq yards and minimum road width of 40 ft.
Similarly, miniplex has been defined for the first time. Two screen miniplexes can be constructed on 60 ft wide road with plot size of 2,000 sq m.
Unauthorised development:
In case of unauthorised development, the Authority shall take suitable action, which may include demolition of unauthorised work, sealing of premises, prosecution and criminal proceeding against the offender.
The municipal employees, who by their act of commission or omission have allowed unauthorised constructions, will be liable for similar action.
WHAT’S MISSING
In case of residential and commercial plots, the minimum plot size has not been defined. In case of group housing, the organised green space is yet to be defined. Similar is the case with colony.
It is defined under the Punjab Apartment and Property Regulation Act (PAPRA).
Certain road widths are not in consonance with the master plan provisions.
For instance, while the master plan stipulate minimum road width to be 40 ft, under the municipal building rules, 30 ft minimum road width is allowed.