Odisha Makes Building Plan Mandatory For Constructions In Rural Areas

Bhubaneswar: For checking illegal construction and ensuring safety and security, Odisha government, through a gazette notification, has made approval of building plan mandatory for constructions in rural areas.

Housing and Urban Development Minister, Pratap Jena said that the prime objective is to regulate construction of multi-storeyed buildings, apartments, group housing projects and commercial buildings. As per the notification, all the application for the construction of buildings (G+2) will be processed through Panchayat Samiti for necessary approvals from the district town planning unit.

“In the rural areas, outside the jurisdiction of Development Authorities/ Regional Improvement Trusts/ Special Planning Authorities, the application for approval of building plans for built up areas exceeding 500 sqm. and / or G+2 buildings shall be received by the Panchayat Samiti and shall be forwarded to the concerned district town planning Unit for technical sanction,” the notification read.

However, buildings on land up to 500 sqm and/or G+2 height and layout plan up to one acre shall be exempted from plan.

“Bulk of the apartments, commercials units in rural and periphery or urban areas were being constructed in a haphazard manner. This was causing problems as such buildings were being constructed without proper drainage or sewerage systems. Now for any construction, due permission is required so that such issues can be addressed,” said Jena.