Rawalpindi: New building by-laws have been approved for the city of Rawalpindi by Commissioner Saqib Zafar, Administrator Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation (RMC), a news source reported. These laws will be implemented in the city from the coming month, after being notified by the provincial government.
The new laws were formulated by the RMC elected council in January 2018. RMC Chief Municipal Officer Khawaja Imran Safdar said that these laws were necessary to reorganise the construction in 46 union councils. He added that the older laws did not meet the changing requirements of modern times, and made town planning difficult to manage.
Under the new laws:
A committee will be formed which will issue no objection certificates (NOC) to buildings so they may get utility connections, and keep a check on violations
Higher building violation fees
A committee of technicians will impose these fines for building violations
25% of the area of commercial plazas will be reserved for parking
Buildings in narrow streets will have to pay a parking violation fee, ranging from PKR 200,000 to 400,000
Commercial buildings can now be eight-storeys tall, instead of the previous stipulation of thee-storeys
All commercial buildings’ plans must include a wheelchair ramp at the entrance, and two fire exits
Obtaining a completion certificate is mandatory for all residential and commercial building owners
Fines will be imposed on commercial buildings for minor violations
The new laws will allow the city authorities to better manage increasing commercialisation and parking issues, as well as prevent growth of illegal structures in the city.
