BRS sparks construction

As per the procedures, the GHMC will seek building assessment certificates (electrical meter or any bill displaying the date of construction) and seek satellite images from NRSA to know the age of the buildings. After the submission, the staff will inspect the buildings. City planning staff will go lane-to-lane, issuing notices to under-construction buildings and these notices will be referred to when the BRS application is submitted.

Mr N. Raju, a resident of Bhoiguda, said, “My neighbour had constructed ground-plus-three floors on 100 square yards; the fourth floor, which is illegal, was left halfway. After the BRS announcement and post the deadline, they completed the floor, painted the level and took pictures to submit the same under the BRS scheme. But the floor was built after the October 28 deadline.”

Currently GHMC lacks structural engineers to inspect the sites to identify the age of the buildings. The corporation is thus seeking the help of retired city planners for the massive task. As quoted by the Chief Minister, there are over 1.5 lakh houses that have not been assessed by GHMC section officers. The GHMC commissioner has directed all assistant city planners to issue notices in their concerned areas to every under-construction building and take pictures. Applications will be crosschecked with these before approval. The notices will be issued under Section 452 for unauthorized buildings.

Though the BRS and LRS system has been made online, middlemen are still in the picture as the common man does not know the procedure to apply for the BRS and LRS schemes. The middlemen’s demands increased soon after the announcement, from Rs 5,000 to Rs 20,000 depending on the building. Meanwhile, the demands of GHMC licensed engineers or architects have also increased.

To help citizens, the GHMC has come up with a booklet that answer the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs); it will also set up helpdesks at each circle office. Mr Srinivas Rao, assistant chief city planner, GHMC said, “Residents need not approach any agent to apply for BRS. They should instead contact the circle assistant city planner or purchase the booklet, which answers several questions like: 1. Unauthorised construction made in a parking area which was in excess of the required parking area will not be regularised. 2. Buildings which were obtained for residential use and constructed as per plan but made commercial will be regularised if the present usage of the building is in acc-ordance with Zoning Regulations. 3. In case permission was granted for three floors but four were constructed, the entire fourth floor will be treated as unauthorised construction and regularisation charges will be collected.”

Also, if the GHMC had approved an individual house but an apartment was constructed, regularisation charges will be levied as applicable in the case of apartment complexes.

Constructions made in parks, green areas and layout open spaces are not eligible. Constructions made on the stilt floor are not eligible for regularisation. However, apartments in upper floors are eligible for regularisation. Prompt action will be taken for removal of structures in the parking area.

Constructions/buildings falling in road-widening portions are not eligible for regularisation. However the remaining portion is eligible for regularisation after handing over the affected portion to the concerned local body. Additional floors built by the builder during the interregnum period will not be covered under the scheme. Such additional constructions are liable to be demolished; besides, penal action can be taken against the builders including blacklisting.“Any person with assistance of an engineer can fill the form and submit it online, residents need not approach brokers. People can also contact zonal and circle city planners,” added the GHMC officer.