The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has relaxed restrictions on construction activities by allowing work to resume on buildings up to five storeys (G+4) and permitting safety-critical operations at high-rise construction sites without requiring prior approval from the municipal commissioner. The revised notification provides relief to property owners, developers, and engineers who had raised concerns over delays and safety risks caused by the earlier restrictions.
Construction activities in Kolkata had been suspended since June 24 following the collapse of an under-construction warehouse in Taratala, which claimed the lives of 16 people, most of them construction workers. In response, the West Bengal government ordered a safety audit of under-construction projects and temporarily halted construction activities across the city.
Soon after the suspension was announced, the state government clarified that buildings up to five storeys (G+4) would be exempt from the construction ban. However, a KMC notification issued on June 26 imposed a blanket restriction on all construction work, including low-rise buildings, creating confusion among property owners and developers.
Following numerous complaints from residents and developers who were unable to continue construction, repair, or renovation work on G+4 buildings, KMC issued a revised notification on July 3. The notification exempted G+4 buildings and safety-critical work at high-rise projects but required applicants to obtain approval from the municipal commissioner before resuming work.
Developers and structural engineers argued that the approval requirement created unnecessary delays, particularly during the monsoon season when unfinished excavation and foundation work could pose serious safety risks. Responding to these concerns, KMC further amended the notification on Tuesday, removing the requirement for municipal commissioner approval.
Under the revised rules, all buildings up to five storeys with valid sanctioned building plans can proceed with construction, emergency maintenance, and repair work. High-rise projects are also permitted to continue essential safety-related activities needed to stabilize construction sites.
According to construction engineers, safety-critical work includes sheet piling, retaining structures, excavation stabilization, dewatering operations, bracing systems, and foundation-related work such as pile caps for deep and shallow foundations. Suspending these activities midway could increase the risk of soil collapse, foundation instability, damage to adjacent buildings, roads, and underground utilities.
Officials from KMC’s Buildings Department acknowledged receiving a large number of queries from owners of standalone buildings and developers regarding the restrictions, prompting the civic body to revise its notification.
Industry bodies also welcomed the decision. Sushil Mohta, President of CREDAI West Bengal, said the revised notification would allow renovation of existing buildings and enable essential safety work at construction sites, helping protect neighbouring properties while preventing waterlogging and other monsoon-related risks.
The revised guidelines aim to strike a balance between maintaining strict construction safety standards following the Taratala tragedy and allowing essential building activities to continue without compromising public safety.
