KOCHI: It was part of the efforts to regulate the increasing number of highrise buildings that the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) issued a fresh set of guidelines towards getting environmental clearance for high-rise buildings in three states, including Kerala.

According to the new set of rules, any high-rise building which needs clearance from the municipality or local bodies should be situated in proximity to a fire station. This is to ensure that in case of an emergency, the fire engines reach the building without delay.