The Kolkata Municipal Corporation has announced new relaxations in building regulations for owners of small plots in colonies or on Thika land. The move aims to ease the construction process for residents with limited space and reduce the regularisation fee for those who built homes without formal plans in these areas. The changes include reducing the mandatory open space for smaller plots, and the KMC has committed to sanctioning building plans within 15 days.
These changes apply to plot sizes ranging from 300 to 2,100 square feet. With the new scheme, owners of smaller plots, some as small as 300 square feet, will now be permitted to construct up to three-storey buildings. Mayor Firhad Hakim explained that, under this revised policy, the regularisation fee has been significantly reduced from a maximum of Rs 3.2 lakh to just Rs 42,000.
The KMC’s decision comes in response to the rising concerns about illegal and unsafe construction across the city, many of which have been unstable due to poor building practices. With these new relaxations, the KMC hopes to encourage small plot owners to come forward and submit their building plans for approval, ensuring compliance with safety standards.
The updated regulations also require owners to work with a licensed architect or structural engineer to submit detailed building plans. Construction will be closely monitored, with the foundation work being overseen by KMC-approved structural engineers to ensure safety. Mayor Hakim highlighted that many small plot owners fear complying with building rules due to the small size of their land and concerns about losing it. As a result, many end up constructing buildings without the oversight of qualified professionals, which can lead to unsafe conditions.
KMC inspectors will visit sites once building plans are submitted to mitigate this risk. Further relaxations will be considered, if necessary, provided the new construction does not encroach on neighbouring properties or pose any safety hazards. The aim is to support responsible development while tackling the city's illegal construction challenge.
