Taller buildings

Removes height restriction of 28 floors; buildings should only get NOC from chief fire officer

now go higher provided they follow the fire norms and have no-objection certificate (NOC) from the chief fire officer.

A civic official requesting anonymity, as he was not authorised to talk to the media, said, “The DC rules formulated by the civic authority in 1994 were based on the National Building Code (NBC) of 1988, wherein the restriction of 92 metres existed. After this, the NBC was amended twice, however our DC rules were not amended. In the new amendment we have followed the latest NBC of 2005.”

The amendment states that if the building has open space of maximum 20 metres, there will be no restriction on height of the building.

He said, “The residential building which follows the NBC’s fire norms and gets NOC from fire department will not have to abide by the 92-metre height restriction. The restriction was only on residential buildings in Thane.Amendingit,willpaveway for high-rises in the city, increasing legal homes and also reducing property prices.”

TMC has issued a public notice of the amendment and asked for suggestions and objections from the people.

Following which, the proposal will go to the state for approval. It will be implemented only after state’s approval.

The height restriction was only for residential buildings not for commercial ones.

“The risk of fire is more in commercial building compared to residential structures. However, the rule excluded commercial buildings. In Thane, no commercial building is above 92 metres. However if anyone would have approached us, we would have to give permission,” he added.

PRAFUL GANGURDE The amendment states that if the building has open space of maximum 20 metres, there will be no restriction on height of the building.