Shimla, Sept 4,
In a bid to prevent future landslides and floods, the Himachal Pradesh government has expanded its building regulations to include plots larger than 1,000 square meters, regardless of their location. The amendment to the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Act aims to ensure the structural stability of buildings and proper drainage systems.
The move comes in response to the devastating landslides and floods that have plagued the state in recent years. The government hopes that stricter regulations will help curb haphazard construction, often blamed for exacerbating these natural disasters.
Under the amended law, any building project exceeding 1,000 square meters must now obtain approval from the TCP department. This applies even to properties outside designated planning areas. The government emphasized that the amendment does not change existing regulations but simply extends their reach.
While the move has been welcomed by many, concerns have been raised about its impact on rural areas, particularly in remote districts like Lahaul-Spiti. Local lawmakers have urged the government to consider exemptions or modifications for these regions, where limited habitable land makes it challenging to comply with strict building codes.
In response, the government has assured that guidelines will be developed to restrict multi-story buildings on small plots. The aim is to limit construction to two and a half or three stories to ensure ground stability.
The amendment was passed by the state assembly despite opposition from some who called for a more thorough review. However, the government argued that the changes were merely an extension of existing regulations and did not warrant a delay.
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