KMC eases curbs for G+4 construction, critical safety work in highrises
Times of India | 4 July 2026
Kolkata: The KMC on Friday issued a modified notification, clarifying that owners of all buildings up to five storeys (G+4) with valid sanction plans could go ahead with constructions, emergency maintenance and repairs. The civic body had to come up with the notification following a rush of harassment complaints from homeowners, who said they were being unable to construct, repair or renovate buildings up to five storeys despite being outside the purview of the work suspension order issued by the govt following the Taratala warehouse collapse on June 24.
But, the KMC pointed out, the exempted category would have to apply to the municipal commissioner’s office for approval to resume work.
The civic body also allowed high-rise projects to complete critical work, such as sheet piling, retaining structures, excavation stabilisation work, dewatering operations and bracing systems, where excavation had already started for basement construction and pile caps for deep or shallow foundations, in order to prevent soil collapse and safeguard adjoining properties.
KMC had earlier issued a blanket ban on constructions in the city. But a circular from the state urban and municipal affairs departments later clarified that the restrictions were on under-construction high-rises only—those taller than G+4. However, as the earlier KMC notification was not withdrawn, home owners and builders were not allowed constructions for even buildings, lower than the G+5 govt benchmark, by the local authorities.
A KMC buildings department official pointed out borough offices were flooded with queries from promoters about the difference between the KMC notification and the UDMA clarification. “We have no authority to grant permission to promoters to resume unfinished work till the municipal commissioner’s office clears the proposal,” said a civic official posted at a borough office.
Developers of big projects as well as structural engineers have been pointing out that stopping such work mid-way can pose a safety threat. “These exemptions are being provided to critical safety-related activities to ensure enforcement of safety measures at construction sites during the suspension period to prevent hazards at a construction site or neighbouring properties,” a civic official said.
Credai West Bengal president Sushil Mohta welcomed the KMC notification, allowing renovation of existing buildings and also emergency work for safety of nearby structures and to prevent waterlogging. The Licensed Building Surveyors Association had flagged off concerns about the likelihood of excavation failure, foundation instability, collapse of unsupported earth faces and damage to adjoining buildings, roads and underground utilities if work that was in a critical stage of construction was not completed.
The notification has also allowed builders to install or dismantle tower cranes, scaffoldings, safety nets and temporary support structures to mitigate risks, arising from high wind gusts during thunderstorms.
All central and state projects as well as emergency maintenance and repair work have also been exempted from the construction ban till an audit is conducted.