Daijiworld News Network (VM)

Mangalore, Feb 16: The Kanara Builders Association has asked for amending the zoning regulations in accordance with the National Building Code (NBC).

“The NBC, drawn up recently, has several confusions in relation with the zoning regulations. The Government can implement the NBC with retrospective effect only after amending zoning regulations, which have been framed under the Town and Country Planning Act,” said president of the association D B Mehta at a press meet here on Tuesday February 14.

The much required amendment will help in clearing pending licences and help the builder incorporate fire safety measures in the plan as required by the law, he added.

Mehta said that it was wrong to brand builders as violators of the NBC with regard to safety norms. The NBC prescribes stringent setback norms and a road width of 40 ft for high-rise buildings, which is contrary to the zoning regulations in Mangalore.

The builders in Mangalore have rightly taken the stand that all fire safety measures and equipment will be installed in the buildings, but zoning regulations of Mangalore Urban Development Authority should be applicable regarding the height, setback and road width, he said.