Giving a boost to what will be the first major cluster redevelopment project to take off in the city, the state-level expert panel has decided to recommend the Bhendi Bazaar proposal for environmental clearance.

The State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC) screens proposals for construction projects spread over 20,000 sq m and recommends them for clearance to the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA). The latter, headed by the environment secretary, will now accord approval to Bhendi Bazaar redevelopment, which will be spread over a plot of 66,264.74 sq m.

The building industry is hopeful that the latest set of amendments to Kerala Building Rules (KBR), announced on Thursday, will help stem horizontal urban sprawl, cut red tape and reduce the time now taken for approval of building plans.

Containing the horizontal spread of the city area will help reduce any further damage to the environment from reclamation of precious wetland bodies and paddy fields. Proposals like a single-window clearance of plans will help drastically reduce the time now taken for approvals.

Chandy seeks a balance between development, eco-protection

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said here on Friday that the government would enforce the restrictions on quarrying and on construction of buildings under the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms. Replying to a submission moved by V.D. Satheesan in the Assembly, he stressed the need to strike a balance between development needs and environment protection.

The Ambala divisional railway building has been declared as the "most energy-efficient government office building" for the year 2012.

1,039 acres gobbled up in 13 layouts out of 149 formed by Authority

Disaster Management Survey Blames Use Of Stilt Parking For Vulnerability