PATNA: The state government is set to make map approval mandatory for constructing apartments and multi-storey buildings in rural areas to regulate unplanned expansion across villages.
The Panchayati Raj department is finalizing new rules that will require approval from the law department, a high-level committee, the state cabinet, and the legislature. Once in place, no multi-storey structure will be permitted in rural areas without an approved building plan.
Panchayati Raj Minister Dipak Prakash stated, “Bihar is experiencing rapid urbanization along with increasing unplanned constructions in non-planned areas.” He noted, “These developments lead to violations of building by-laws and cause revenue losses for the government.” The minister further emphasized that the proposed regulations aim to establish a transparent mechanism for rural construction activities.
Under the proposed regulations, a regulatory authority similar to the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) will be established to approve building plans for multi-storey projects in rural regions. Any project exceeding 500 square meters will need to be registered with this authority.
Builders will be obligated to keep 70% of the funds collected from buyers in a separate bank account, designated solely for the respective project. Delays in possession may incur penalties and interest-based compensation. Developers will also be required to disclose project layouts, approvals, and construction progress.
Officials assert that builders will be liable for structural defects or any construction-related issues for five years post-completion, at no additional cost. Buyers will have the option to reach out to the regulatory body for grievance resolution, facilitating quicker dispute resolution. The regulations will mandate clear disclosures of built-up and carpet areas to prevent overcharging and misleading claims.
The proposed guidelines will only apply to projects over 500 square meters. Smaller residential units will not fall under these regulations. In rural areas, houses with up to two storeys will not require mandatory map approval, while those above two storeys will need a No Objection Certificate from the relevant authority before construction.
