Town planning rules not in sync with reality: Realtors

Chennai: Realtors are upset with the recent fire accidents in Chennai and admit that several shopping complexes that have been recently constructed also fail to adhere to Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority norms and Chennai Corporation Town Planning rules.

Realtors told DC that the rules are so stringent and don’t sync with reality. “A sanctioned building is allowed to have four floors, but we see skyscrappers across the city. At times, owners gets sanction for four floors and build extra floors violating norms this brings unnecessary headache for the entire lot involved in real estate,” said S Ramachandran, a small realtor based in south Chennai. There are so many examples of building violations on Duraiswamy Road, where new buildings were also inaugurated last year.

In case of such buildings the corporation should lock and seal the floors constructed without plan approval. At the same time the rules related to setback area and floor space index should be altered to meet the present conditions. Certain rules should also be made flexible, so that the builders will also abide rules, he added.

However, the number of floors does not have anything to do with fire safety, said Ajith Chordia from Credai. “Only aspect that a building owner must take care of is maintenance of electronic items in the complex. In case of having additional floors evacuating public during fire is a challenge”. Both the realtors also blamed the judiciary interfering and providing interim stay orders for illegal buildings.
 The court process and the delay in hearing such cases also in a way helps corrupt civic officials.