Tag: Kolkata Municipal Corporation

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West Bengal CM: Don’t Rush to Demolish Illegal Buildings

KOLKATA: Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has urged the Kolkata Municipal Corporation’s buildings department to avoid rushing into demolitions without prior notification, allowing those affected adequate time to defend their cases. During an interactive session with various municipal officials on Saturday evening, Adhikari underscored the need for careful consideration when addressing illegal constructions in the city. The Chief Minister advised KMC’s senior buildings officials to approach the demolition of structures inhabited by economically disadvantaged individuals cautiously, particularly where residents have purchased flats or built homes that do not significantly breach KMC regulations. Adhikari expressed his concerns in a meeting after the…

Latest StoriesRegulatory

Calcutta HC Halts Tiljala, Kasba Building Demolition for a Month

KOLKATA: On Friday, the Calcutta High Court put a temporary hold on demolition notices issued to several buildings in Tiljala and Kasba for the next 30 days. The court has instructed the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) to conduct a hearing that includes both unauthorized building owners and their tenants. “In the event of a demolition notice for unauthorized constructions, both tenants/occupants and building owners must be given a chance to be heard,” the High Court stated while maintaining ‘status quo’ in a series of cases challenging the KMC’s demolition orders. The KMC commissioner has been mandated to provide an opportunity…

InfrastructureLatest Stories

Kolkata Civic Body Launches Drive to Demolish Unsafe Buildings

KOLKATA: In response to the Shamsul Huda Road building collapse, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) is initiating a comprehensive campaign to demolish unsafe and decrepit buildings throughout the city. The KMC Buildings Department plans to use specific powers to demolish structures posing risks to both residents and pedestrians. An official from the KMC Buildings Department disclosed that assistance will be sought through an express order—authorized under section 411(4) of the KMC Buildings Rule—allowing the civic body to dismantle unsecured portions of dilapidated structures deemed irreparable. A prior survey identified buildings vulnerable to collapse, particularly during heavy rainfall. “We have identified…

Latest StoriesRegulatory

Common Area Changes Require Two-Thirds Resident Approval: WBREAT

KOLKATA: The West Bengal Real Estate Appellate Tribunal (WBREAT) has sided with homebuyers at ‘Atmosphere – the luxurious condominium’ located off EM Bypass. On Friday, the tribunal upheld RERA’s interim order preventing developers from ‘alienating, transferring, or dealing’ with any portion of the project or its common areas. Previously, 10 residents of the development accused the promoter of unilaterally altering plans without the required consent from 2/3 of the existing allottees. On February 25, 2025, the High Court allowed construction to continue based on the modified plans, contingent upon the results of arbitration proceedings brought by some allottees. In its…

Latest StoriesRegulatory

Calcutta HC: KMC Can Fix Unsafe Buildings in Disputes

KOLKATA: The Calcutta High Court ruled on Dec 23 that civil disputes would not hinder the renovation of a building designated as ‘dilapidated’ or ‘unsafe’ by the KMC. The court stated, “The residents, including tenants and nearby individuals, could face substantial risk if the Corporation’s order is not executed.” The challenge arose from the trial court’s decision to lift an interim order in a civil suit regarding a 1/6th property share, brought before the division bench of Justices Sabyasachi Bhattacharyya and Supratim Bhattacharya, which also contested transfer deeds issued by the building owners. After the lower court issued the interim…

InfrastructureLatest Stories

West Bengal CM urges councillors to provide drainage for high-rises

KOLKATA: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee called on Kolkata Municipal Corporation councillors to learn from the heavy rainfall on September 23, emphasizing the need for adequate drainage in high-rise buildings. The CM cautioned the councillors to heed recent experiences in both Kolkata and North Bengal. “The water accumulation in high-rises stems from improper dredging by builders. Many do not even provide the necessary documentation. High-rise complexes should have designated parking, but if there’s no drainage system, how can we manage the water? This calls for thorough inspections post-construction to ensure all facilities are in place,” the CM stated. Additionally, CM Banerjee…

Latest StoriesRegulatory

Calcutta HC: Auction Buyers Must Pay Property Tax Dues

KOLKATA: The Calcutta High Court ruled on September 25 that auction purchasers must cover the property tax liabilities of previous owners. This decision arose when a company requested a waiver for outstanding property taxes amounting to Rs 1,23,84,142, which the KMC deemed unacceptable for mutation. Justice Gaurang Kanth indicated that the auction purchaser holds the responsibility for the property’s tax arrears, stating, “The petitioner, being the auction purchaser, is obliged to settle the outstanding property tax dues. The sale notice and expression of interest (EOI) highlighted that all bidders should conduct their own investigations and due diligence before bidding.” The…

InfrastructureLatest Stories

Kolkata Civic Body Mandates Visitor Parking in Large Projects

Certainly! Here’s a rewritten version of the content you provided: KOLKATA: The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has mandated that all residential projects with a built-up area of over 5,000 sq m (approximately 53,000 sq ft) must include parking for visitors. Previously, this requirement applied to projects exceeding 10,000 sq m (100,000 sq ft). To support developers in meeting this requirement affordably, KMC will offer an increased floor area ratio (FAR) to facilitate the construction of additional parking. Of this extra FAR, at least 25% must be allocated for visitor parking. For instance, a project of 50,000 sq ft could potentially…

Latest StoriesRegulatory

Calcutta HC: Building Nod Can’t Be Denied Based on Old Plans

KOLKATA: The Calcutta High Court has ruled that the civic body cannot deny building permits based on a nearly 100-year-old street plan. The court annulled alignments for two streets from 1930 that had never been implemented. The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) had used this outdated plan to deny building permissions for properties at 74A Christopher Road and 32 Pulin Khatik Road. Justice Rai Chattopadhyay stated, “A plan must be acted upon within a reasonable timeframe. It is unfair for KMC to indefinitely uphold a historical street plan. The legislature allows for cancellation or modification of such plans after 10 years…

InfrastructureLatest Stories

Kolkata Civic Body to Monitor New Buildings’ Health for 10 Years

KOLKATA: A committee appointed by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) to oversee the reconstruction of houses on Durga Pituri Lane and surrounding areas will monitor the structural integrity of these buildings for the next decade. If any damage occurs due to the operation of the underground metro, the Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation (KMRC) will be responsible for compensation, said Mayor Firhad Hakim during a recent KMC meeting. Concerns were voiced during the KMC House meeting on Friday regarding the safety of structures on Durga Pituri and Syakrapara Lane following the commencement of metro operations. KMC Ward 48 Councillor Biswarup Dey…