Norms relaxed to regularize building built violating rules

Thiruvananthapuram: In yet another instance of government school building being built in violation of rules, the local self-government department (LSGD) has granted permission to regularize the construction by allowing exemption to certain rules.
The exemption of building rules has been granted to the newly-constructed building of Government High School, Avanavanchery, in Attingal municipality. The building was constructed using Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) funds.
Attingal municipality secretary had communicated to the state government that owing to variation in measurements, the building was not handed over and that number was also not allotted for the building. The secretary noted that the government may either grant a fitness certificate on a temporary basis or give special relaxation in rules for the school building. The secretary also mentioned in the report that mandatory open space was not available behind the building and fire stairs were not constructed.
Chief town planner also submitted a report to the government citing that there were mismatches in the scale plan and although the fire escape stair was shown in the plan, it was not found connected to the second floor.
There were also violations in setback, parking, coverage, sanitation, and rain water harvesting facility. Chief town planner recommended that the government may grant exemption on the condition that a fire staircase shall be constructed and rain water harvesting facility shall be ensured.
The government has considered the recommendation of the chief town planner and issued an order granting exemptions on parking, open spaces, coverage and sanitation and directed that fire stairs and rain water harvesting facilities may be constructed. The municipality secretary has been directed to regularize the school building based on this order.
In 2022, LSGD had sanctioned regularization of a four-storeyed government school building at Kallara which was built in violation of building rules pertaining to setback, access, coverage, and did not provide a fire escape staircase and facilities for disabled persons, elderly and children as per the rules. The government granted relaxation to the building under the special power prescribed in panchayat building rules.
The building was reported to have had seven different kinds of violations. It was built without the mandatory setback while it exceeded the permissible coverage. While it ought to have provided two staircases, only one was built. Although a fire escape stair case was required, but it was not provided. Violations were reported in exit width and access width as well. Provisions for disabled persons, elderly and children were also violated and car parking for disabled persons, ramp/lift services to the top floor were not provided.
In May 2022, LSGD had issued an order which stated that school buildings which began construction before the building rules 2019 came into effect and those which were completed after 2019 may be granted relaxation in fire and safety provision and may be issued fitness certificates.