Building sanction plan can’t be extended after expiry: Calcutta HC

A builder must apply for an extension prior to the expiry of a sanction plan. In case the developer, fails to do so, they will have to apply for a fresh sanction letter.

Once a sanctioned builder plan expires, a builder must apply for a new one, the Calcutta High Court (HC) has ruled. While giving its order in a recent case, the high court clarified that developers can’t apply for an extension of a building sanction plan after the expiration of the construction period.

The September 30, 2022, order by the Calcutta HC set aside an earlier order of a single-judge bench in which the court had directed the Kolkata municipal commissioner to extend an expired sanction plan of a city-based developer. Aggrieved by the single judge bench order dated April 21, 2022, the commissioner moved the HC in appeal.

“The application for extension of validity of the sanctioned plan must be made before the time permitted for completing the construction expires,” the division bench of Justices Arijit Banerjee and Rai Chattopadhyay said while stating that the Supreme Court (SC) has already made this clear in the Pune Cantonment Board & Anr. Versus MPJ Builders & Anr case in 1996.

In its order, the top court has said for an extension of a building plan, an application has to be made prior to its expiry. In case a developer fails to do so, they will have to apply for a fresh sanction letter.

“The observations of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of Pune Cantonment Board (Supra) in relation to Section 181A of the Cantonments Act, shall squarely apply to Section 399 of the KMC Act. The object of the two Sections of the said two statutes is the same – to regulate construction activities in the interest of public safety and planned development of the area to which the statute applies,” the HC said.

Was this article useful?
  • 😃 (0)
  • 😐 (0)
  • 😔 (0)

Recent Podcasts

  • Keeping it Real: Housing.com podcast Episode 45Keeping it Real: Housing.com podcast Episode 45
  • Keeping it Real: Housing.com podcast Episode 44Keeping it Real: Housing.com podcast Episode 44
  • Keeping it Real: Housing.com podcast Episode 43Keeping it Real: Housing.com podcast Episode 43
  • Keeping it Real: Housing.com podcast Episode 42Keeping it Real: Housing.com podcast Episode 42
  • Keeping it Real: Housing.com podcast Episode 41Keeping it Real: Housing.com podcast Episode 41
  • Keeping it Real: Housing.com podcast Episode 40Keeping it Real: Housing.com podcast Episode 40