The Public Health Department has instructed all industries and businesses in the State to compulsorily obtain ‘occupancy certificate’ for new buildings before utilising them. While this was already mandatory under the Tamil Nadu Public Health Act, 1939, it was not widely followed.
S. Somasundaram, Deputy Director of Health Services, told The Hindu here on Tuesday that this certification was to ascertain if the building had adequate drinking water and sanitation facilities besides drainage.
The order was also applicable for residential apartments and bungalows.
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There had been several cases where residents had found out that their apartment lacked adequate water supply after they had moved in.
It comes in the backdrop of the collapse of 11-storey building at Moulivakkam in Chennai recently, which claimed more than 60 lives. The building was under construction.
Following this incident, the Government has tightened norms pertaining to building constructions.
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All buildings must obtain this certification under the Sections 26 (quality and adequacy of water supply) and 33 (drainage facilities) of the TN Public Health Act.
This instruction would be intimated to the district administration, Corporation, Local Planning Authority and District Industries Centre besides other relevant Government agencies and departments.
Further, the Health Department would also assess how many persons could work or occupy the building.
This was intended to prevent overcrowding.
BuildersThe Deputy Director said that a drive would be undertaken to ensure all businesses and builders complied with this order. Cases can be filed under the TN Public Health Act against those violating this directive and fines can be imposed.
The main objective of this order was to be a preventive measure to avoid the public from facing difficulties.