[NewsOfUse]: Approved Changes in Building Byelaws by Chandigarh Housing Board

Bringing in cheer to the faces of many households who intend to carry out certain modification/alteration works in their existing dwellings as well as those who are building new housing units, the Chandigarh Housing Board on 18th February 2016 approved 13 need-based changes in the design and/or construction parameters in the dwellings falling in Rehabilitation Colonies under their purview, which was a long-pending demand of the inhabitants of this proclaimed 'City Beautiful'. 

Chandigarh is a Union Territory located in the Northern region of India, which happens to be the shared Capital city of the two Indian States, viz., Punjab and Haryana.

The long awaited, and now approved-in-principle, changes in the building by-laws being:

• Installation of iron grilles, widening of widows and additional grilles in parking areas.
  
  
• Sanctioned provision of lifts (elevators) in the housing societies.
  
  
• Balconies projecting three feet along the length of the apartment on the front and rear - where not provided originally, supported on end wall extensions and dovetailed well with the main building so as to be structurally safe (Note: May be constructed only when all apartment owners in a building agree to execute it together)
  
  
• Outward projections (Chhajja) up to 1.5 feet may be constructed over windows and doors extending up to 152mm (approx. six inches) on either of the lateral sides of the door or window length (acting as bearing) as per the standard design. 
  
  
• Additional windows may be cut in walls only as per size. 
  
  
• Existing windows may be increased in size by removing bricks beneath them and lowering the member up to four inch above floor level.
  
  
• Such additional construction is allowed only to the extent provided for in the type-wise two-dimensional drawings, which are available on the official webpage of Chandigarh Housing Board on the official portal of Chandigarh administration (www.chandigarh.gov.in)
  
  
• However, the caveat is that such modifications/alterations/addition be allowed subject to mutual consent of all allottees on all floors of the block and also of the adjoining floor having a common wall. (Note: A block is defined as all the dwelling units which are accessed by a common staircase)
  
  
• Coverage with lightweight materials in the form of sunshades over balconies as per standard design and colour.
  
  
• If all apartments' owners of a block agree, they may jointly carry out treatment of outer surface of building.

Bricksnmortar Edesk would like to thank the Chandigarh Housing Board and Chandigarh Administration to bring out such long awaited decisions in the building by-laws. Many of our patrons and readers from this region had asked us several questions about what to do and what not within the purview of the sanctioned by-laws. This notification shall surely bring a genuine smile on their faces.

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