Pragmatic approach to city problems

CHANDIGARH, April 26: The decision of the Union Territory Administration to relax building bye-laws in the city is welcome. The old building rules, which were framed more than 40 years ago, now remain only on paper with alterations of some kind visible in almost every house. Some of these violations are for the sake of ostentation but the majority of them have been introduced by people to meet the requirements of a more modern style of life. Contrary to what may have been originally conceived, cost of living in the city today is very high and most people have improvised in one way or another so that they can rent a portion of their house and thereby supplement their income. People have added kitchenettes, toilets, storage space and a shack or two for domestic help. It has also been felt that the antiquated rules, which did not provide for such changes within houses, were not in tune with the times. The relaxations are expected to provide relief to most people. In fact some of these are realistic, includingthe one to allow overhead water tanks (common features in many houses) to deal with the acute water problem in summer months. Similarly, with the sharp increase in the number of vehicles in the city, people have devised some kind of front covering in their driveways for parking of vehicles, particularly in marla houses.

There are many other issues which also need consideration. A large number of people have enclosed the area in front and sides of their houses and turned these into lawns. Some others have even set up small kitchen gardens. While strictly speaking this amounts to `encroachment’, in actual fact these people have only beautified the area. Had this area been left untended, there would have been wild growth. There are also chances of these places being used for defecation or perhaps ravished by stray cattle. Unless the enclosures cause traffic hazards or restrict road span, it would be unwise to disturb them. The Administration could specify the kind of enclosures which people could put around and of course demolish concrete structures, if any.

This is not all. Increasing commercialisation of residential areas is evident in the city, which must be checked. Only those activities which can be classified as basic services should be allowed. Another irritant which calls for a decision are the back lanes, which are a source of dirt create unhygienic conditions. There have been varied suggestions including a proposal to allot the back lanes to the adjoining house owners. Similarly, over the years there have been widespread additions and alterations in government houses, as indicated by numerous surveys. In many cases these were necessitated by requirements of security and official work. Let the Administration specify the changes which may be deemed need-based and compoundable. Those which have been undertaken according to officials’ whims and fancies should not only be demolished but the people responsible for these should be penalised heavily. Unless the Administration has well defined policies on all such issues, the lowly officials will continue toexploit the ambiguity.