KMC relaxes norms for owners, tenants of dilapidated buildings

Rule 142 of Building Rules, 2009, allows owners to enjoy additional 100 per cent space of tenant occupied portion, provided they will rehabilitate the tenants. This will resolve the issue of dilapidated buildings which often pose serious threats in the city.

A senior KMC official said the scheme had generated enthusiasm among owners of old buildings and during meetings of the Municipal Building Committee (MBC), held twice a month, on an average 10 applications were received from owners of old buildings, intending to set up new structures after pulling down the dilapidated ones. 

There are around 700 dilapidated buildings posing serious threats. Most of these buildings are situated in north Kolkata in areas like Nimtala Ghat Street, Stand Road, Kalakar Street, Synagogue Street, Strand Bank Road and Tallah Park. KMC had issued notices asking the owners to repair the buildings, but it was not done as most of the buildings had more than one owner.

There are buildings in north Kolkata where the tenants pay less than Rs 50 rent. With such little rent it becomes impossible for the owners to repair the buildings. Finally, the civic authorities put up boards stating “dangerous and dilapidated”. Despite that, the tenants continue to stay there. It may be recalled that in 2013, a portion of a dilapidated building collapsed on Creek Row which affected the traffic movement for 15 days.

A senior civic official said in many cases the buildings were more than 200-year-old and often beyond redemption. Many of these buildings stand on several cottahs of land and have become places to off load garbage. But now, as the owners will get 100 per cent additional space, they are showing keen interest. This will ultimately resolve the issue of dilapidated buildings, an official said.

Mayor Sovan Chatterjee said that the mindset of people had changed and many owners of old buildings had shown interest to set up new houses by pulling down the old ones after proper tenant rehabilitation. “The civic laws should be amended in such a way that they provide relief to the public. KMC is committed to that and this new scheme is bound to attract owners of old structures,” he maintained.