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All 300 pending high-rise projects get Kolkata civic body's construction go-ahead

Kolkata's high-level committee has sanctioned the continuation of halted housing developments after thorough safety evaluations and assurances from builders. Of the 300 projects assessed, 178 successfully met established safety benchmarks. As a result, restrictions on constructions of up to five stories have been eased, while vigilant supervision will ensure that safety standards are strictly followed for ongoing high-rise projects.

According to a Kolkata Municipal Corporation buildings department official, in phases, names of 300 such housing projects were sent to the high-level committee in Sept. According to the official, primarily out of the pending projects, while 178 projects passed the safety audit test satisfactorily, others were asked to improve on certain safety measures.

“Finally, we sent our recommendations to Nabanna based on our findings. However, we will continue our vigil,” said the KMC official.

KMC in July issued a modified notification, clarifying that owners of all buildings up to five storeys (G+4) with valid sanction plans could go ahead with constructions, emergency maintenance and repairs. KMC had to come up with the notification following a rush of harassment complaints from homeowners, who said they were unable to construct, repair or renovate buildings up to five storeys despite being outside the purview of the work suspension order.

But KMC pointed out, the exempted category would have to apply to the municipal commissioner’s office to resume work. KMC also allowed high-rise projects to complete critical work, such as sheet piling, retaining structures, excavation stabilisation work, dewatering operations and bracing systems, where excavation had already started for basement construction and pile caps for deep or shallow foundations, to prevent soil collapse and safeguard adjoining properties.

“Of the 706 high-rise projects across 18 urban local bodies where construction had been halted and a comprehensive audit was undertaken, around 300 projects were in Kolkata. Nearly all of them were allowed to resume operations except a handful where gross violations had been identified,” said Credai West Bengal president Sushil Mohta.