Patna: The revised draft of the Bihar Building Bylaws has been finalised following a review by a group of ministers, with several proposed changes aimed at simplifying building construction procedures and improving ease of doing business in the state.
The proposed amendments seek to streamline building plan approvals, relax certain setback requirements and reduce procedural formalities for smaller buildings. The revised draft will now be placed before the state Cabinet for approval. The proposed changes will come into effect only after the necessary approval and notification.
One of the key proposals is to treat a building plan as approved if the competent authority does not take a decision on the application within 30 days. The provision is intended to reduce delays caused by pending files and make the approval process more time-bound.
FAR of 3 proposed, option to increase it through additional charges
The revised draft proposes a standard floor area ratio (FAR) of 3. It also envisages allowing applicants to increase the permissible FAR within prescribed limits by paying additional charges.
FAR determines the permissible built-up floor area in relation to the size of a plot. Any relaxation in the applicable limits would be subject to the conditions and charges prescribed under the final rules.
The group of ministers has also agreed in principle to provide relief under setback regulations, which govern the minimum distance a building must maintain from the boundaries of a plot.
Setback relief proposed for plots up to 10 metres wide
The proposed amendments include a provision to provide complete relief from setback requirements for plots measuring up to 10 metres in width.
If approved in the proposed form, the provision could make building design and approval easier for owners of narrow plots, particularly those seeking to construct houses on smaller urban land parcels.
The precise scope and conditions of the proposed exemption will depend on the final version of the bylaws.
Self-certification proposed for buildings up to 10 metres high
The revised draft also proposes introducing a self-certification mechanism for building plans involving structures up to 10 metres in height.
Under this arrangement, applicants would be able to certify compliance with the applicable building requirements, potentially simplifying the approval process for smaller buildings.
The earlier proposal reportedly envisaged extending this provision to buildings up to 24 metres high. The limit has now been reduced to 10 metres in the revised draft.
Online portal to facilitate building plan approvals
The proposed system would allow applicants to upload building plans to an online portal and pay the prescribed fees digitally. Once the required process is completed, applicants would be able to obtain the approval certificate through the portal.
The move is intended to reduce visits to government offices, minimise paperwork and make the approval process more transparent.
Cabinet approval awaited
The group of ministers has emphasised simplifying building construction permissions through time-bound decisions, online services and changes to requirements affecting smaller plots.
The proposed revisions are part of the state’s efforts to improve ease of doing business in the construction sector. However, the provisions remain proposals until they receive Cabinet approval and are formally notified by the state government.
