Urban News

Indian Express 24.09.2009

KMC not ready to combat waterlogging

The Alipore Meteorological office has already alerted the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) about waterlogging during Pujas in view of the possible sporadic rainfall. But the civic body is yet to gear up for the task.

According to senior official of the drainage department, the KMC is yet to arrange for an extra pump. The age-old drainage system can drain out 6 mm of rainwater in an hour with the available pumps.

On Monday, the city had a taste of the possible scenario in case of heavy rains: large areas of north and Central Kolkata remained submerged after an hour-long shower. Dum Dum, Cossipore, Arabinda Sarani, Bagbazar, Bidhan Sarani and Chittaranjan Avenue in the north, BBD Bag, Lenin Sarani, AJC Bose Road, Camac Street in Central Kolkata and Bhowanipore, Sarat Bose Road, New Alipore, Mominpore, Kidderpore, Behala and parts of Tollygunge in the south were waterlogged.

Amit Roy, chief engineer of the drainage department, said: “We could not arrange for extra pumps. So the existing pumps will be put to work. We have deployed 300 labourers in all pockets of the city, including Rashbehari Avenue, Central Avenue and Thanthania.”

A senior civic official said the existing pumps need upgradation, as most of them do not work. A few days ago, parts of the city were waterlogged after pumps in Palmar Bazaar pumping station could not function for two hours due to a power failure. The station caters to a 17.5 sq-km stretch, which includes parts of north and central Kolkata. Both dedicated lines to the pumping station did not work that day.

Asked about the maintenance of the dedicated lines from CESC, Roy said: “We have asked CESC several times to deploy an official at the pumping station. But nothing has been done yet. If power trips at the pumping station again during the puja, the city will drown.”

Indian Express 24.09.2009

Panchkula to have floor ownership system

The Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) is set to implement the much-awaited independent floor ownership system in the state. The Haryana government recently issued a notification in this regard.

“Only those owners, who have completed three floors in accordance with the approved building plans and bye-laws and have obtained occupation certificate from the competent authority, will be eligible to transfer floor-wise ownership of their building,” a HUDA official said. “Also, those who have paid the full price of the plot to HUDA and have no dues can go in for the new scheme.”

The owners of independent floors in a building, the official added, would have to make adequate arrangement to park their vehicles “without misusing road or public property”.

T C Gupta, Chief Administrator of HUDA, said, “Under the scheme, an additional stamp duty of 1 per cent will be charged from the applicants. We plan to use this additional income to provide infrastructural facilities, the priority being multi-level parking lots in each sector.”

For residents, with the new scheme in place, buying a house in Panchkula will no longer be difficult. “Till now, we could have only thought of owning a 10-marla house in Panchkula. It was far beyond our reach. But with the independent floor system, we can now think of owning that,” Sunita Mittal, a resident of Sector 15, said.

Procedure for transfer of ownership of floors

The original owner or allottee will have to seek permission from the Estate Officer, HUDA, along with details on the floor proposed to be transferred and common areas and facilities available.

The owner will have to attach the original allotment letter, a copy of the approved building plan, a copy of the occupation certificate and photographs of the existing building. The owner will have to pay Rs 10,000 as administrative charge.

Rules and regulations

* In case of a built-up property in existing sectors, the registration of independent floors will be allowed only if the building is constructed on a plot of 180 sq yards or more.

* Each independent floor will be recognised as a distinct, identifiable property with a separate identification number.

* Owner of each independent floor will be entitled to separate water and electricity connections.

* No increase in the maximum permissible floor area ration (FAR) will be allowed.

* No sub-division of the plot and vertical divisions of the building will be allowed.

* Disputes, if any, will be limited to the agreement partners and HUDA will not be a party.