Bhubaneswar Development Authority's Redefined Terms Spark Controversy Among Real Estate Developers
Real estate developers voiced strong disapproval on Thursday concerning the Bhubaneswar Development Authority's (BDA) recent move to alter the definitions of "apartment" and "group housing."
Speaking with reporters in Bhubaneswar, Confederation of Real Estate Developers Association of India (CREDAI) state president D S Tripathy argued that these new definitions lack clarity. He expressed concern that the ambiguity will lead to unnecessary trouble for individuals during the process of house construction.
Proposed Amendments and Their Implications
The draft BDA (planning and building standards) amendment regulations-2012 propose a revised definition of "apartment." An apartment would be classified as a building with more than four dwelling units constructed within a single block, characterized by joint land ownership and construction overseen by a single agency. This differs from the BDA regulations of 2008, which defined an apartment as a building containing six or more dwelling units.
Tripathy elaborated on the potential consequences of this change stating, "under the new definition houses of joint families may become apartments." He posited that, as a result, these families might face the requirement of adhering to a minimum road width of nine meters. Tripathy also pointed out the impracticality for certain apartments to form societies, given the necessity of at least seven members.
The updated definition of “group housing” presents further ambiguity. Group Housing is defined as a multi-dwelling unit building situated on jointly owned land, with construction jointly managed by a single agency. CREDAI contends that this terminology requires further clarification.
CREDAI's Concerns and Proposed Solutions
CREDAI, having submitted its feedback on the draft regulations during the period open for public comment, expressed skepticism about the efficacy of the proposed "settlement fund" and the allocation of 10% of all housing projects for economically weaker sections (EWS). The organization questions the practicality of BDA constructing EWS houses using the proposed shelter fund. Tripathy, the CREDAI chief, stated, “It seems impractical that BDA will construct EWS houses using shelter fund.”
CREDAI, Odisha, has recommended that the Odisha state government develop a more practical affordable housing policy modeled after Rajasthan’s. They suggest a policy centered around incentives for builders coupled with subsidies for those belonging to economically weaker sections of society.