Builders caught in a bind as BMC approvals come to halt 

Confusion over implementation of the new development control regulations (DCR 2034) has building proposals department since September 1 according to builders and architects. Although the civic administration denied it, construction industry sources said junior level engineers are not processing building files because of lack of clarity. From September 1, DCR 2034 replaced the old DCR of 1991. But the rules of the new DCR are yet to be implemented. A senior architect told media that 55% of the rules are yet to be framed. This is largely because some of the clauses of DCR 2034 are in Excluded Portion (EP), which are yet to be sanctioned. Sources said the state government should have come up with a transition policy for projects that commenced under the old 1991 DCR and are now stuck due to the new 2034 DCR. “Since the past two weeks, there’s a total shutdown in the BMC’s building proposals department. Junior level officials do not know what to do,” said a prominent architect.