Building a Safer Future: ‘Standardized Development and Building Regulations, 2023’ by Bureau of Indian Standards

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has issued a new document that aims to revolutionize India’s built environment. The document, titled ‘Standardized Development and Building Regulations, 2023’, is encapsulated in Special Publication SP 73: 2023. It sets forth a comprehensive framework for ensuring safety, accessibility and sustainability in construction, aligned with the National Building Code of India 2016 (NBC 2016) and drawing inspiration from global best practices.

Background

The document is the outcome of a meticulous project initiated by the BIS to promote the adoption of NBC 2016 nationwide. The project involved an exhaustive study of existing rules and regulations across the country, coupled with a comparative analysis of international best practices governing land and building development. Workshops and discussions held nationwide gathered input and feedback, all of which were successfully integrated into the final document.

Features

The document is designed to be user-friendly, clear and unambiguous. It eliminates confusion and ensures a seamless adoption process. The comprehensive content, complemented by various forms and checklists, facilitates easy understanding. Visual aids, including illustrations and flowcharts, enhance comprehension, while explanatory notes underscore key aspects. Standardized numbering further eases translation into different languages.

The document also incorporates new age ideas and concepts, such as EV Charging Stations, Wind Electricity Generators, Transferable Development Rights, Transit Oriented Development, High Security Areas, Retirement Homes, etc. The document embraces innovation and addresses the emerging needs of the society.

The document also provides data on the construction industry in India, such as:

• The value of construction to India’s GDP was 11.8 trillion INR in 2022.
• The inflow of foreign direct investment into the construction sector was 5.1 billion USD from April 2020 to September 2022.
• The length of national highways awarded and constructed was 10,237 km and 10,596 km respectively in FY2022-23.
• The renewable energy capacity in India was 145.2 GW in 2021 and is expected to reach 500 GW by 2030.

Beneficiaries

The key beneficiaries of this document are the following:

• Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) and Town and Country Planning Organization (TCPO) under MoHUA;
• State and Union Territory Governments;
• Local Bodies (LBs), both urban and rural;
• Development Authorities (DAs);
• Cantonment Boards and Port Trusts;
• Zila and Gram Panchayats; and
• Other organizations involved in the development of built environment.

The document marks a significant stride towards improving the regulatory mechanisms governing building construction in the country. It aims to ensure better, time bound and transparent services to people and help create faster, better, more durable, resilient, accessible and sustainable buildings and built environment. It also improves ease of doing business in the field of construction by bringing forth uniformity in structuring, detailing as well as key approval processes throughout the country.