Now, Delhiites can get four-floor high

To weed out corruption and help people get their building plans sanctioned without any hassle, Delhi government has relaxed norms for construction of additional floors in flats having multiple ownership.

According to a new directive, people having the right over third floor will not have to obtain a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the other floor owners for expansion.

Officials said, a “very clear-cut instruction was given to the municipal bodies last month not to insist on NOC for giving approval for the construction of third floor.”

The lieutenant governor directed the municipal corporations to examine structural safety and compliance of building by-laws while giving the approval.

An official note said the civic bodies must look into aspects like “fire safety, non obstruction of passages, air and sunshine for neighbours and neighbouring buildings”.

Officials said occupants can express their views to construct a third floor, but the municipal corporation will take the final decision on the basis of merit.

While the Master Plan of Delhi -2021 allowed construction of third floor in residential areas, the Supreme Court in an order in 2007 had put a stay on the provision till it comes out with its final order on MPD.

The apex court, however, in March 2008 allowed construction of third floor in residential areas on the condition that owners of the flat will have to submit an affidavit saying they will abide by its final verdict.

“The new policy talks about structural safety and meeting the building by-laws. The parking norms are also important for getting a building plan sanctioned,” said commissioner of South Delhi Municipal Corporation Manish Gupta.

The corporations have been sanctioning plans by taking an affidavit from the applicants.