HYDERABAD: Building permissions in the entire Hyderabad Metropolitan area have been stopped with the agencies concerned -- Hyderabad Urban Development Authority and the Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad -- putting on hold all proposals received in recent times.

The decision, said to be taken at the highest level, is in the wake of pending notification of new simplified building rules that were cleared by the Cabinet more than 10 days ago.

The new rules are to be made applicable for areas falling under HUDA, Hyderabad Airport Development Authority, Cyberabad Development Authority and the Buddha Purnima Project.

Official sources said more than 100 building plans at both the head office and the seven circle offices of MCH and many more such plans submitted to HUDA face an uncertain future as the authorities have stopped giving permissions since the Cabinet decision.

`Arbitrary move'

Even ground plus two structures cleared in the circle offices too have been affected by what is being termed an `arbitrary' move.

Playing it safe

"All building plans were submitted at the designated offices after payment of all requisite building processing fee under the existing rules that continue to be in force.

Is it fair to keep them pending?" asks an affected party.

If the Government has become extremely cautious on this issue it is because of the recent High Court directives asking municipal authorities to act tough against buildings that have come up violating all norms, including misuse of cellars and high rises without fire service clearances.

But what worries those waiting for permissions is that the new building rules would simply change the rules of the game. New rules provide for separate stipulations for old and congested areas, permissions for high-rises, premium rate of Rs. 30 per sq.ft for buildings taller than 15 metres, higher setbacks and parking spaces, so what would happen to those that have already firmed up plans?

Catch is, it has not stopped municipal authorities from clearing a couple of Government buildings, sources say!

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