KOCHI: To align urban planning with contemporary development needs, the Kalamassery municipality has released a draft notification proposing alterations to its structural plan established in 1991.
The amendment, issued by the state government on March 15, 2026, aims to provide immediate relief for residents and developers in municipalities and panchayats surrounding the Kochi corporation while awaiting the full implementation of the comprehensive 2040 Amrut Master Plan.
Though the Kochi corporation is already implementing the 2040 master plan regulations, nearby local bodies have remained constrained by the outdated 1991 framework.
“Many older proposals have become impractical due to changes in traffic patterns and environmental conditions. The updates to the structural plan will simplify the process for significant projects such as Judicial City, Logistics Park, and the expansion of Infopark, while also addressing longstanding public complaints and pending land use court cases,” stated municipality chairperson Jamal Manakkadan.
A key feature of the amendment is the relaxation of restrictions in agricultural zones, categorized according to flood risk. In areas deemed at risk of flooding, limits for residential construction have been raised from 300 sqm to 500 sqm, while commercial limits have increased from 200 sqm to 300 sqm.
For areas identified as not at risk of flooding, considerable flexibility has been introduced, permitting all types of residential buildings, including flats. Warehouses and godowns are now allowed on plots with access to a 7-metre road, complying with the Kerala Municipality Building Rules regarding floor area ratio and coverage.
In developed zones, the municipality has introduced ‘Mixed-Use Development,’ enabling combined residential, commercial, and industrial usage. Notably, residential projects can now be carried out within industrial and public/semi-public zones, with commercial area limits in the latter raised from 200 sqm to 1,000 sqm.
The draft eliminates several outdated proposals for 27-metre roads in favor of more realistic transit corridors, such as the proposed 45m Seaport-Airport Road Phase II, new NH 966A link (45m width), HMT Road, Kinfra Medical College Road (22m), and Kangarappady-Medical College Road (18m).
Residents have 60 days to provide their feedback or objections regarding this draft amendment.
