Charges To Regularise Illegal Buildings May Drop Significantly In Maharashtra

It was in August 2017 that the Maharashtra government had planned to regularise illegal and unauthorised buildings across the state. This move was expected to benefit all constructions made prior to December 2015. Later in October last year, the government’s urban development department issued rules regarding regularisation of such buildings by paying a penalty. Such structures could be converted into compounded structures after payment of compounding charges that included infrastructure charges and premium by the owner and occupier.

To make the process easier, the state government has now proposed a change in calculating penalties for illegal and unauthorised properties. According to the proposed modifications, authorities would now calculate compounding charges or penalties needed for providing these illegal structures with public amenities, utilities and services.

Earlier, these compounding charges were calculated on the basis of ready reckoner rates or circle rates which were heavy on the pocket of the occupants. Most of the occupants never obtained the compounded-structure status only because of the heavy penalty levied.  

"The notification is a part of the government's attempt towards taking a realistic step to solve the problem of lakhs of unauthorised structures, most of which are residential buildings," a government official was quoted as saying.

Meanwhile, to ease the renovation process in Mumbai, under the new Development Control Regulations, a homeowner will not have to seek the permission of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to make internal changes to a flat. All they have to do is to obtain two certificates, one each from the structural auditor and the architect, stating that the changes will not have an impact on the pillars or load-bearing walls of the building.

The new Development Control Regulations will come into force on September 7.