OC exemption for power connection extended to 2,400 sqft buildings in Bengaluru

Bengaluru: Days after CM DK Shivakumar announced plans to relax occupancy certificate (OC) norms for electricity connections, his govt Saturday issued an order extending the exemption to a larger category of residential buildings within GBA limits.

Under the new order, residential buildings constructed on plots measuring up to 2,400 sqft, with an additional permissible deviation of up to 20%, will no longer be required to obtain OC from municipal corporations or town planning authorities to secure electricity connections.

The exemption applies to residential buildings with ground+3 floors or stilt parking plus four floors within GBA jurisdiction. The govt said the move is aimed at easing access to essential services and reducing delays faced by homeowners due to pending OC approvals, as directed by Supreme Court a year ago.

Officials estimate the revised order could benefit more than four lakh residential buildings across Bengaluru, many of which have been unable to obtain electricity connections due to absence of OCs.