The Calcutta Municipal Corporation on Tuesday organised a workshop for licensed building surveyors (LBS) and architects to popularise a provision that allows owners of plots up to 500 square metre to start construction without a formal building permit from the civic body.
Mayor Firhad Hakim had asked the building department of the Calcutta Municipal Corporation (CMC) to organise the workshop after the owner of a small plot complained about difficulties in acquiring a building permit.
The special provision, extended by the CMC, says that construction can begin on a plot up to 500 square metre — roughly 7.5 cottah — without waiting for the formal building permit, said CMC officials. The building cannot be taller than 12.5 metres or four storeys (G+III).
The plot owner will need to submit a proposed building plan and then can start construction. The CMC will inspect once the construction of the plinth is complete.
CMC sources said about 30 architects and 150 LBS attended Tuesday’s workshop.
Licensed building surveyors are engineers empanelled with the CMC who prepare plans and oversee the construction of buildings up to 15.5m (G+IV) in height. A taller building can be built under the supervision of an architect.
Officials said the objective behind the special provision was to ensure no one had to wait for long to start construction.
This was one of several steps taken by the CMC to make construction of buildings easier in the city as part of the ease of doing business scheme.
CMC sources said initially, the facility was extended to plots up to 200 square metre (approximately 3 cottahs). The limit was later increased to plots measuring up to 500 square metre.
CMC officials said licensed building surveyors are still wary of using the benefit since there is a fear of incurring losses in case of a future dispute.
“There can be a difference in interpretation of the law between the licensed building surveyors and CMC officials. In such a scenario, portions of the plinth have to be pulled down. It would mean a loss for the owner,” said the official.
“We have asked engineers to consult the department if they have any doubt."