Building Act amendment bill: fines up to Rs 1 million for violating standards, safety tests mandatory for old buildings

A bill proposing fines of up to Rs 1 million for building houses in violation of standards has been registered in the federal parliament. The bill, brought to amend the Building Act, 2055, also proposes making safety tests mandatory for buildings that are 50 years old.

The government is seeking to tighten building construction laws to curb disorderly urbanization and ensure safe housing. Under the bill, fines ranging from Rs 500,000 to Rs 1 million would apply, depending on the nature of the building, for failing to follow the approved design and building construction code.

For those who alter a structure arbitrarily, going beyond the approved design, a fine of Rs 200,000 to Rs 500,000 is proposed. Those who refuse to repair or demolish buildings that violate regulations, despite instructions from the local level, could face a freeze on the sale, transfer of ownership, and mortgaging of their property.

The bill also includes a provision allowing water, electricity and telephone services to such buildings to be cut off.