The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has cleared the way for nearly 300 pending housing projects in the city to resume construction following safety assessments by a high-level committee constituted after the Taratala warehouse collapse. The decision is expected to provide relief to developers whose projects had remained stalled under the construction suspension order issued to review the safety of under-construction high-rise buildings across West Bengal.
The high-level committee reviewed the projects based on safety audit reports and undertakings submitted by the respective real estate developers. According to a KMC buildings department official, the civic body had forwarded details of 300 housing projects in Kolkata to the committee in September 2026 for assessment.
Of these, 178 projects successfully met the prescribed safety requirements during the audit. The remaining projects were asked to address identified safety concerns and improve compliance with the required construction standards. Following the assessment, KMC submitted its recommendations to the state government at Nabanna for further action.
A civic body official said that construction activities would continue under close monitoring to ensure that developers follow the prescribed safety requirements. Projects with serious violations remain subject to restrictions until the identified issues are addressed.
KMC Relaxes Construction Restrictions for Buildings Up to Five Storeys
In July 2026, KMC issued a modified notification allowing construction, emergency maintenance and repair work in buildings of up to five storeys (G+4), provided they have valid sanctioned building plans. The clarification followed complaints from homeowners who reported difficulties in undertaking construction, renovation and repair work despite their buildings falling outside the scope of the original work suspension order.
However, property owners seeking to resume work under this exemption category are required to apply to the municipal commissioner’s office. The provision was introduced to distinguish smaller buildings from high-rise developments that required detailed safety assessments.
The civic body also permitted certain essential construction activities to continue at high-rise project sites where excavation and foundation work had already commenced. These activities include sheet piling, construction of retaining structures, excavation stabilisation, dewatering operations and installation of bracing systems.
Work related to pile caps for deep and shallow foundations was also permitted under specified conditions. These measures were intended to prevent soil movement, excavation-related failures and damage to adjoining properties while construction remained suspended.
Nearly 300 Kolkata Projects Among 706 Audited Across West Bengal
The safety review covered 706 high-rise projects spread across 18 urban local bodies in West Bengal where construction activities had been halted. Kolkata accounted for approximately 300 of these projects, making it one of the major areas covered under the state-level assessment.
According to Sushil Mohta, president of CREDAI West Bengal, nearly all the 300 projects in Kolkata had been allowed to resume construction, except a handful where serious violations were identified.
The decision marks a step towards restarting stalled residential developments while maintaining safety oversight at construction sites. For developers, the clearance is expected to help resume pending work and reduce delays associated with the suspension order. Homebuyers awaiting possession of properties in these projects may also benefit as construction activities restart.
However, continued monitoring and compliance with safety recommendations will remain important for the completion of these developments. The state government’s approach combines the resumption of eligible housing projects with stricter scrutiny of construction practices, particularly those involving excavation, foundation work and high-rise structures.
