Lenient building rules to clog city

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Kochi: The state government’s decision to relax building construction rules and re-introduce floor space area of 2009 will choke the city which is already congested, with narrow roads and inadequate parking facilities. Constructing big buildings on small plots will worsen traffic congestion as many of the existing buildings on important roads do not have parking facilities.
“Relaxing building rules will adversely impact town planning and development. Indiscriminate construction of residential and commercial apartments without having mandatory open spaces will create traffic congestion,” said a senior town planner.
According to renowned architect S. Gopakumar, if the builders are ready to surrender the excess land for road development, the city roads would be decongested. “Road development is a collective responsibility. No one, including the general public and builders, can distance themselves from it. So, when the government is permitting big apartments in small plots, builders should be ready to surrender the excess land for road development,” he said.
 The cabinet on Thursday has effected changes to the Building Construction Rules which was amended by the previous LDF government in 2009 and 2010.
Proper planning and implementation of a strict master plan is needed to decongest the rapidly developing city. Basement parking has to be ensured in all buildings and parking vehicles on the road side should be abolished, according to a civic expert.
Property developers, of course, have welcomed the decision. “Relaxation of building rules has nothing to do with congestion. In Kochi, the major reason for congestion is lack of proper planning and road development. Independent homes should not be encouraged in the city and the focus should be on vertical grow-th,” said K.A. Mohammad Salim, MD of Asset Homes.