The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has unveiled draft amendments to its existing building regulations, with several key changes aimed at addressing the growing concerns of parking and urban development.
These changes, expected to have a significant impact on the city’s housing sector, focus on issues like mandatory parking spaces for visitors, the reduction of open spaces for smaller plots, and clearer definitions around affordable housing and large residential complexes. Among the most notable proposals is the requirement for housing complexes exceeding a constructed area of 5,000 square metres to allocate dedicated parking spaces for visitors. This move is expected to alleviate the increasing problem of road congestion caused by visitors who currently struggle to find parking spaces in many large residential complexes. “Several housing projects, particularly older ones, do not have designated visitor parking, forcing people to park their cars on the roads. The new regulation will help address this issue for large residential complexes,” said a KMC official. Currently, many of Kolkata’s housing complexes display notices prohibiting visitors from parking inside. The proposed amendment aims to eliminate this inconvenience for residents and their guests by ensuring that sufficient parking spaces are provided in these larger complexes.
The draft amendments also propose a reduction in the mandatory open space requirements for buildings on smaller plots—specifically those between 45 square metres and 125 square metres. This change is expected to help streamline the approval process for smaller property developers and homeowners, preventing the construction of illegal buildings while making it easier to obtain building permits. “These amendments are designed to help people with smaller plots comply with KMC’s regulations, which should encourage legal, orderly construction practices,” an official from the KMC explained. In addition to these practical adjustments, the amendments aim to clarify previously ambiguous definitions. The new rules explicitly define what constitutes a “big residential complex”—a building with a total built-up area of more than 15,000 square metres, comprising at least 100 residential units, including common areas. Prior to these changes, the absence of a clear definition often led to confusion in applying different rules to smaller versus larger developments. “This distinction is essential for ensuring that large projects are subject to the appropriate set of regulations,” noted a KMC engineer.
The KMC has also moved to align its building rules with national definitions of affordable housing, as specified by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. Affordable housing, as defined in the amendments, will target the economically weaker sections and low-income groups—further promoting inclusivity in urban development. This move is in line with the city’s broader goal of creating equitable and accessible housing opportunities for all its residents. These draft amendments, which have been developed after extensive consultations with real estate developers, architects, and civil engineers, reflect the growing need for modernising Kolkata’s urban planning framework. “The existing rules, which were framed when multi-storey buildings were rare, are no longer adequate for the current urban landscape. Recent changes in fire safety and other regulations also necessitate an update,” said a representative from the real estate sector.
One significant change that could benefit both developers and homebuyers is the inclusion of an occupancy certificate in the final approval process. This is a notable shift from the previous system, where only completion certificates were issued. The occupancy certificate ensures that a building is connected to the city’s water and sewer systems, providing a more comprehensive assurance to residents and lending institutions alike. As the draft amendments are open for public suggestions and objections until May 7, 2025, stakeholders, including developers, civil society groups, and residents, are encouraged to voice their opinions on the proposed changes. These rules, once finalised, will be crucial for guiding Kolkata’s future growth, helping ensure that the city’s urban environment remains sustainable, inclusive, and better equipped to meet the demands of its expanding population. The KMC and the Urban Development Department are expected to review all feedback before either notifying the amendments or presenting them to the state assembly for approval.
Kolkata Proposes Major Changes to Building Rules
