KMC to scrutinise new building constructions

The new move embraced by KMC could help reduce massive existing malpractice to a great extent
By SUJATA AWALE 

KATHMANDU: The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC), which had not been able to strictly monitor whether new buildings being constructed are as per the construction permit or not, has now come up with an idea of assigning a third party the job.

According to KMC, Peace Consultant Pvt Ltd and Naradevi Engineering Consultant are two companies appointed for monitoring while Prakash Raj Shiwakoti, Ghanashyam Sharma and Arjun Paudel are individuals appointed for the same. Thanks to inability of KMC to enforce construction maps, many were encouraged in Kathmandu to flout the building bylaws. 

“This is the first time that KMC has appointed field supervisors, which will be effective to ensure that the building bylaws are strictly followed,” said Narendra Raj Shrestha, chief of the Urban Development Department at KMC, adding that these field supervisors will also help house owners maintain the standard of buildings. 

Citing that earlier many people had built houses bypassing the construction map, he said, “In absence of a proper monitoring mechanism, houses being constructed in the city were mostly unsafe.” 

However, he is optimistic that the new move will help reduce the massive existing malpractice to a great extent. 

Stating that their main objective is to maintain safer buildings in the city, Shrestha added, “The appointed supervisors will make field visits during different phases of construction from laying the foundation to completion of the structure and will report to KMC.” He added, “The KMC will also cross check the report.” According to him, anyone building a house against the approved construction map or flouting the bylaws, will be penalised by KMC and issue of building completion certificate will be withheld.

According to him, three appointees will look after the construction of buildings in an area of up to 10,000 sq ft while two will take care of the construction in areas above 10,000 sq ft. “We are in the last phase of the agreement with these third parties. As soon as it is completed, they will start working,” he informed. If things go well with the spirit of strict monitoring, it will create a win-win situation for all resulting in safer buildings and proper urbanisation. 

“The decision of the government to supervise new construction is praiseworthy move,” said Mahendra Bahadur Gurung, president of Nepal Engineers Association, adding that it will help to distinguish whether the construction work is done as per the construction permit or not. He further said that house owners will be provided proper assistance and guidance to ensure standard of the building meet the requirement of the third party inspection.

Business complexes under KMC scanner

KATHMANDU: In response to complaints against business complexes and institutions of using parking spaces for other purposes besides park-ing; KMC has started to monitor them in different places. There is a provision that building constructors can add additional storey if they segregate the parking lot underground or ground floor. 

KMC has already monitored 15 complexes among which Chirayu National Hospital and Medical Institute Pvt Ltd along with some other mega structures are found to have used ground floor for other purposes rather than parking. “We have discovered Chirayu Hospital to have used the ground floor of 

the structure for other purpose rather than parking,” shared Shrestha, adding that the investigation still on progress. 

“We are facing problem to find construction permits of these complexes as it is not necessarily required to register in the name of these complexes,” he said, adding that they coordinating with concerned ward office to identify actual owners of the structures. However, he accused that many complexes have misused parking spaces. 

On this, Sandeshwor Vaidhya, director of the hospital, said, “We found that underground parking in the hospital was not appropriate for the parking purpose which is why we used it for other purpose,” adding that they have already processed for changing the purpose in the Ministry of Health and Population. He also informed that they have allocated same size of parking space outside the hospital. — HNS

Source: http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=KMC+to+scrutinise+new+building+constructions&NewsID=408035