'Housing for all' gets easier construction norms

In a major booster to 'housing for all scheme', the government has diluted the norms to ensure large-scale construction activities across the country. In a notification issued recently, the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, has relieved projects over 1,50,000 sq.m from seeking clearances under the existing Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act and Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act. This is a move stipulated to help the economically weaker sections and will ensure ease of doing responsible business and streamlining the permissions for buildings and construction sector which is important for providing houses under the scheme. The scheme of Housing for All by 2022 has been aimed at making available affordable housing to weaker sections across urban areas. As a matter of fact, the move had been in the works for months, even as the Ministry of Urban Development had announced modified building bye-laws in March. Under the new notification, builders would only need to adhere to the environmental conditions under the bye-laws — nine environmental conditions for projects in the 5,000-20,000 sq.mt size; 17 in 20,000-50,000 sq.mt; and 20 conditions for projects in 50,000-1, 50,000 sq.mt bracket. Whereas, score of the conditions imposed include, solid waste management, rain water harvesting, organic waste composting, use of fly ash bricks and others are to be adhered to strictly, said an official spokesperson.