Karwar: The local administration has finally woken up and is taking some steps in a bid to check building bylaw violations in Karwar City Municipal Council (CMC) limits. As a first step towards this, the CMC officials are holding a meeting with the heads of District Legal Authority and builders at Kannada Bhavan in Karwar on March 26.
“There are guidelines with regard to setback (minimum open space required around any building), the number of approved floors of the building and quality of materials like cement, sand, iron that need to be used for construction. The local administration checks if the buildings have followed all these guidelines. However, some influential people violate the bylaws. Such violators will be identified and action will be taken against them,” said officials.
CMC Commissioner S Yogeeshwar told DH that in case builders have not followed the Sec 107 of the Municipal Act, an opportunity will be given to them to set it right. In case, the violations were not set right even after the issue of notice, stern steps will be taken against them after seeking directions from the court.
He informed that all the builders of Karwar have been asked to attend the meeting.
Affidavit
Yogeeshwar said that Karwar City Municipal Council (CMC) is receiving an affidavit from builders and designers who will declare that all the buildings constructed by them were in accordance with building bylaws and were suitable for habitation. In addition to this, legal action could be initiated against them in case of any untoward incidents. Such a system is prevailing for many years.
“Builders of only 11 buildings in Karwar have not submitted the affidavit. Those buildings have been surveyed and legal action will be taken against them. In case, it is found that the buildings constructed are unsafe or unfit for habitation, action will immediately be taken against building owners and builders. In case some major repairs are needed and in case, the building needs to be reconstructed, the builders have to make alternative arrangement for those residing in the building till be works are completed. The CMC will extend necessary support in such case,” Yogeeshwar said.