Way being cleared for high-rise buildings in Pune

Pune will soon join the league of Indian cities with high-rise buildings, thanks to a recent decision of the City Improvement Committee (CIC) of the Pune Mumicipal Corporation to allow skyscrapers with a maximum height of 100 metres.

In the wake of a relentless demand for real estate "" both housing and commercial "" triggered by the boom in information technology and allied business areas, the concept of high-rise structures has become a subject of debate in the city's real estate circles for quite sometime.

The Promoters and Builders Association of Pune (PBAP) has supported the idea and offered to co-operate in complying with safety standards and other norms for multi-storey buildings.

CIC chief Vikas Mathakari said the decision of the committee was a Diwali gift to Pune's citizens as high-rise buildings would ease the demand for housing as well as commercial real estate in the city, stemming spiralling prices.

The decision, however, comes with many riders which mainly look at the issue of congestion and safety. The proposal, for example, stipulates that high-rise buildings would be allowed alongside the roads that are at least 30 metres wide.

It also prescribes the minimum area required to undertake the construction of multi-storey complexes. According to the proposals, a building of 50-70 metres' tall would be allowed on a 6,000-square metre or larger in size.

In the case of buildings with a height of 70-100 metres, it sets a minimum land requirement of 8,000 sq metres.

Likewise, there are stipulations as to how many elevators such buildings would have to have. The developers would have to build at least six elevators and an additional fast lift to be used in case of emergencies like fire.

Mathkari said the decision of the CIC would now be ratified by the general body of the Pune Municipal Corporation and sent to the state government for a final approval.