Howrah to have security zones restrictions

The West Bengal assembly today passed the Howrah Municipal Corporation (Amendment) Bill 2017.
Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim moving the bill said from now onwards there will be restrictions on construction of building and structures within 500 meters radius of any security zones identified by the state Home department.
He told reporters that not more than four storied building will be allowed within the security zone area but existing structures will not fall under new rules.
The identification of security zones for important installations can only be done by the state Home department and not by the corporation.
The state secretariat is now in Howrah.

Hakim also moved three amendment bills today which will allow to extend the unit area system by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation as it was found many were unable to submit the same.
The passing of the bills will allow imposition of utilisation fee on land and other immovable property in the KMC area, modification in the procedure for determining the annual value of holding land or building. These are aimed toward increasing revenue.