New Delhi:
The Union government has relaxed building by-laws in poll-bound Delhi, in which, among other things, sanctioning of building plans have been made easier. Now, there will be a single-window clearance for larger plots - 20,000 sq m and above. Smaller residential plots - up to 100 sq m - have been exempted from sanction altogether.
An official statement from the Urban Development Ministry said the by-laws, dating back to 1983, have been "simplified, rationalized and updated" to save people from "harrowing experiences in obtaining building plan approvals".
The setting up of grievance redressal committees in urban local bodies has been made mandatory. Green construction norms as per the size of plots have been clearly stipulated.
Public buildings spread over 4,000 sq m have to make provisions for rain water harvesting and waste water recycling. Differently abled persons have to be provided easy access and such buildings also need to be child and senior citizen-friendly.
Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu has asked the Delhi Development Authority to issue a notification of the new bylaws at the earliest.
Assembly polls in Delhi are expected to be held early next year. Ahead of the polls, while key bills in Parliament were stalled due to opposition protests, the government and the opposition came together to pass one bill - the bill to regularise unauthorised colonies.
Both building by-laws and regularisation of unauthorised colonies and rehabilitation of slum dwellers are key issues in Delhi.