Construction activity in Chennai’s suburbs as well as extended areas outside the city limits might get a boost if the government’s proposal to ease building norms is implemented soon.
A review of Development Control Regulations (DCR) – the principal guideline to construction activity outside Chennai Metropolian Area – is currently on and suggestions from representatives in the housing sector were accepted during a consultation convened by the Directorate of Town and Country Planning on Saturday.
Four years ago, the Directorate’s request for suggestions and changes in Development Control Regulations – in the absence of guidelines for developments like multi storey buildings – was approved by the State government. However, official sources said, with the demand for constructing high rise residential, commercial and institutional buildings increasing even in the extended suburbs located outside Chennai Metropolitan Area, the need to review DCR was felt and hence the consultation meeting. “We invited representatives from the construction industry and experts in the field of engineering and planning. We called them for suggestions to remove any difficulties users are facing,” said a department official. According to him, they wanted to hear from the builders and experts about changes to be incorporated in the DCR and also about best practices followed in other States that could be implemented in Tamil Nadu.
