GUWAHATI: The Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) and the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) have started entertaining applications for construction of residential buildings. The bodies had stopped granting building permissions on June 11 after the state government decided to amend the existing building bylaws in the city for better planning.

"Permissions to construct buildings were brought to a halt as the government started formulation of new building bylaws for Guwahati. But this process will take some time as the proposed bill has to be passed in the state assembly first. We received many complaints from the public asking to restart the process of allotting building permissions so the state government at the highest level took the decision to started accepting fresh applications for residential buildings only," the newly-appointed GMC commissioner Kavitha Padmanabhan said.

She, however, clarified that applications seeking permission for residential buildings in the hilly areas and eco-sensitive zones will not be entertained. Padmanabhan said for the time being, permission upto ground plus two level will be given. "The government is yet to decide on giving building permission to high-rise buildings," she added.

Sources in the GMC said the civic body will also start entertaining applications for commercial buildings shortly. The GMDA is already entertaining applications for residential buildings from August 2, but not beyond ground plus two level as per the guidelines of the state government.

Meanwhile, members of real estate developing agencies and consultants appealed the state government to restart giving permission for constructing all kinds of buildings. "Every citizen with land of his own has a right to construct buildings. We are happy that the GMC and the GMDA have started entertaining applications for residential buildings. Hopefully, the government agencies will also start accepting applications for all kinds of buildings soon," said Guwahati-based consultant engineer, JN Khataniar.

However, he urged the state government not to grant permission to big projects with multiple high-rise apartments in the city. "There should be some restrictions while granting building permission in Guwahati as drainage system here needs to be improved. Moreover, availability of underground water and electricity load has to be kept in mind," Khataniar said.