The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Penthouse dilemma for GHMC

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Wednesday, Jun 17, 2009
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Penthouse dilemma for GHMC

It is not yet clear how these structures will be regularised

1,500 multi-storied buildings (more than five floors) under BPS scrutiny
GHMC in a position to clear 30,540 of 33,832 applications for individual residential buildings

HYDERABAD: Penthouses continue to stick like sore thumbs in the sky for the GHMC to clear pending applications under the Building Penalisation Scheme (BPS).

While a blueprint to issue processing certificates for more than 90 per cent of the residential buildings, individual or apartments, gets ready, it’s unclear yet how pent houses will be regularised. There are about 1,500 multi-storied buildings (more than five floors) under BPS scrutiny and hence, these require no objection certificates from the A.P. Fire and Emergency Services Department and the Airports Authority of India (AAI).

NOCs not submitted

Fact is most of the applicants have not submitted the requisite NOCs to clear them under BPS. Officials too now seem to accept that it would be next to impossible for a pent house owner to fund the entire cost of the fire safety equipment.

Loud thinking in official circles is that some kind of mechanism for making provision of an exclusive water pipeline running through the common area with outlets on each floor could be thought out as an alternative set up. It could be a more practical solution rather than insist on separate tanks as per the prevailing rules, observe officials.

Factors

“Usually fire mishaps occur in commercial establishments due to various factors including negligence and people not being around after office hours. People are more vigilant and careful in residential complexes. In any case, asking entire building structures be redone is impractical,” reasons an official.

However, even if fire safety norms can be met to some extent there is a question mark on getting AAI clearance. “Yes, it’s an issue,” sighed an official.

Otherwise, GHMC is in a position to clear 30,540 of the 33,832 applications for individual residential buildings; 83,634 of 87,205 for residential apartments pretty soon if the applicant concerned has paid or will pay the entire penal fee as prescribed and the required documents including the revised building plan.

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