Himachal Tightens Building Rules to Protect Lives After Disaster Losses

In the wake of devastating natural disasters that left many families homeless, the Himachal Pradesh government is taking strong steps to prevent future tragedies. New construction rules are being introduced, and local Panchayats will now play a key role in ensuring buildings are safe and legally approved.

From now on, anyone planning to build must get their structure designs and maps approved under the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Act before starting construction. Panchayat representatives will be empowered to inspect sites and check whether the necessary approvals are in place. If not, they’ll report violations to the authorities, who will take action.

This decision follows the collapse of several homes that were either built too close to rivers and drains or lacked proper approvals. Many of these structures were severely damaged when water levels surged during recent disasters. To prevent such incidents, the government has mandated that buildings must be at least 7 meters from drains and 150 meters from rivers.

For families who lost their homes, the government has announced compensation of ₹7 lakh, along with ₹70,000 for household items. District officials have begun distributing aid and issuing updated building guidelines to promote safer construction practices.

Town and Country Planning Minister Rajesh Dharmani emphasized the government’s commitment to safety: “We’re giving Panchayats more power to stop unsafe construction. A geologist’s report is now mandatory for government buildings, and we’re considering making it compulsory for private buildings too.”

By involving local Panchayats in the monitoring process, the government hopes to build disaster-resilient communities and reduce risks for people living in vulnerable areas.