KMC Mandates Information Boards at Under-Construction Buildings to Enhance Transparency

The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has introduced a new directive requiring all under-construction buildings across the city to display standardized project information boards. The initiative aims to improve transparency in real estate development and protect the interests of prospective buyers by ensuring easy access to key project details.

---

Purpose of the New Directive

The directive, issued on instructions from the mayor’s office, seeks to address construction-related violations, particularly deviations from sanctioned building plans. Such violations have previously resulted in legal and financial difficulties for unsuspecting buyers, often coming to light only when the KMC issues a stop-work order. By mandating visible project information, the KMC intends to promote accountability and reduce the risks faced by consumers.

---

Mandatory Information to Be Displayed

Under the new rule, developers must prominently display a project information board at every construction site. The board must include:

• The sanctioned building plan number

• The name of the architect or Licensed Building Surveyor (LBS)

• The approved height of the building

These boards must be placed in a clearly visible location, ensuring that the information can be easily viewed from a distance.

---

Enforcement and Compliance Measures

To ensure effective implementation, engineers from borough-level building departments have been directed to conduct detailed inspections of buildings that are under construction or nearing completion. Their responsibility will be to verify compliance with the signage requirement.

Any site found without the mandatory information board will be reported, and a stop-work notice will be issued to the developer. This enforcement mechanism is intended to deter non-compliance and ensure adherence to approved construction norms.

---

Benefits for Buyers and Public Confidence

KMC officials believe that this preventive measure will enhance buyer confidence by enabling potential purchasers to verify whether a project is being developed in accordance with sanctioned plans. The initiative is also expected to strengthen public trust in Kolkata’s real estate sector by fostering greater transparency and regulatory oversight.

---

Additional Objectives of the Initiative

Beyond consumer protection, the directive aims to improve the safety of municipal personnel involved in inspections and streamline enforcement efforts. Clear on-site information will help officials identify and assess projects more efficiently, reducing ambiguity during regulatory checks.

---

Conclusion

The KMC’s mandate for information boards at all under-construction buildings marks a significant step toward transparent and responsible real estate development in Kolkata. By requiring the display of essential project details, strengthening compliance checks, and enforcing penalties for violations, the corporation seeks to promote accountability, protect buyers, and encourage lawful construction practices throughout the city.