Curation Team
HYDERABAD: As part of a regulatory update to bring Secunderabad Cantonment at par with Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), Secunderabad Cantonment Board officials have released draft building bye-laws on Tuesday. The bye-laws, developed in consultation with expert agencies, introduce revised building and planning parameters while addressing unauthorised construction concerns.
“With the increasing population of the cantonment and the restrictions in place under the current bye-laws, we are keeping the public’s demands in mind and proposing to relax the regulations,” SCB chief executive officer Madhukar Naik said.
Cantonment’s new zones
A new feature of the new bye-laws is the division of the cantonment into four distinct zones, each with specific development parameters. Zone-I encompasses civilian residential areas with road widths between 9 and 12.2 metres, while Zone-II covers mixed-use areas with wider roads up to 18.3 metres.
Zone-III includes Old Grant Bungalows and leases outside the notified civil area, with restricted construction activities. Zone-IV is designated for high commercial potential areas along major roads exceeding 18.3 metres in width.
Revised definitions & penalties
The bye-laws also introduce strict measures to control unauthorised construction through built-up area mortgaging and composition regulations. They also establish detailed guidelines for various building categories, including group housing schemes, educational institutions, assembly buildings, and commercial centres.
“These new regulations align with modern urban development needs, while preserving the cantonment’s unique character,” a senior SCB official said. “We’ve also incorporated essential elements like fire safety, parking requirements, and environmental considerations,” he added.
Notable environmental features include provisions for rainwater harvesting, solar rooftop installations, and landscaping requirements. The bye-laws also address plumbing and sanitation aspects, ensuring comprehensive coverage of construction-related activities.
The regulations are based on the Cantonments Act, 2006, and the National Building Code, 2016, ensuring alignment with national standards.
