Norms tightened for building plan approval in pilgrim city

Tirupati: In the wake of severe water scarcity in temple city, Tirupati Urban Development Authority (TUDA) has tighten the norms for giving approval to building plans.

The TUDA made it compulsory for new buildings to construct rainwater harvesting pits and sewage treatment plants. For the last few years, there are allegations that building owners are not constructing as per plan.

From now onwards, individuals or builders can get approval from TUDA's planning department only after fulfilment of the rules. In addition, the TUDA included setting up solar power generation units in its building approval plan list.

For the last one week, TUDA Vice-Chairman (V-C) PS Girisha along with TUDA and MCT planning department officials inspecting the buildings and apartments which have sought approval from the TUDA. During inspection, the V-C strictly examining whether building owners have violated rules or constructing as per plan.

Especially, he instructed the officials to stop construction of buildings immediately, who are constructing without rainwater harvesting pits and sewage treatment plants. Officials have started issuing the notices to violators, who have been constructing not as per plan and also marked the buildings under the Building Penalisation Scheme (BPS).

Two weeks ago, TUDA officials had issued notices to building owners in Gazetted Officers Colony, MG Brothers Layout, Thummalagunta, Nalanda Nagar, Vidya Nagar, Perur, Karakambadi Road, SBI Colony, BTR Nagar, Reddy Gunta, Upadhyay Nagar and another 20 more colonies. Girisha said that the TUDA's aim is to improve groundwater in temple city with rainwater harvesting pits.