The Khasi Hills Building and Structure Regulatory Authority (KHBSRA) met today to familiarise its members with its responsibilities for the task ahead.
On Monday, the Meghalaya High Court ordered the state government and KHADC to remove two illegal and unauthorised buildings located on the Umiam lake side of the Guwahati to Shillong highway.
The order was issued by the division bench of the High Court after the KHADC informed the court that the two construction works – Moon View Café owned by Philosopher Iawphniaw and Ever Banalari (restaurant-cum-guest house) owned by Banalari Khongwar – are illegal and unauthorised.
“We see the humongous growth of the tourism sector and we can also see that there is a need to regulate the construction of these buildings,” KHADC Executive Member in charge of Building By-Laws, Paul Lyngdoh, said today.
He added that the council has no choice but to proceed with the implementation of the building bylaws and he made it clear in no uncertain terms that nobody can construct any structure, building, homestay, hotel, etc, in violation of the bylaws.
All manner of buildings for various uses – residential, educational, commercial, public and semi-public as well as religious – need to apply for clearances from the KHBSRA.
The authority has begun working with a team of engineers, legal experts and advisers and has received 400 applications already, Lyngdoh informed.
