Indian Express 19.08.2010
AUDA stops construction work in Bopal, deploys security personnel
Express News Service Tags : Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority, civic Posted: Thu Aug 19 2010, 02:56 hrs
Ahmedabad: The Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority (AUDA) has deployed security personnel in Bopal to ensure that builders do not add more floors to the under-construction multi-storied buildings, till they get a final nod from the Urban Development Department.The state Urban Development Department had issued notification in April, changing the zoning pattern in town planning schemes as suggested by AUDA.
Even when the schemes were not approved, builders went ahead with their construction hoping that the department would approve the proposed AUDA plans. But sources said the Urban Development Department had made drastic changes in the AUDA’s proposed plans, sending panic waves among the builders who had started with the work.
The notification also issued a fiat halting the construction work. Though the work was stopped initially, builders later started it.
AUDA chairman Dharmendra Shah said: “We have deployed security personnel at the sites to ensure no further construction is done till the department takes a final decision.”
He said that AUDA had taken up the matter with the Urban Development department to expedite the process and take a decision as early as possible. “I hope the department will take a call within a fortnight,” said Shah.
AUDA sources said the department had swapped the zoning pattern — R1 zone by R2 zone and vice-versa — leading to serious problems. Construction up to 12 floors is allowed in R1 zones as per existing by-law and up to only four stories in R2 zones.
