Kalamassery municipality issues draft notification for changes to city structural plan

Kochi: With an aim to align urban planning with modern developmental needs, Kalamassery municipality has issued a draft notification for effecting changes to the structural plan of the local body (1991).The amendment published by the state govt on March 15, 2026, aims to provide immediate relief to residents and developers in the municipalities and panchayats surrounding the corporation until the comprehensive 2040 Amrut Master Plan is fully implemented.While the Kochi corporation area already follows the 2040 master plan regulations, surrounding local bodies were restricted by the aging 1991 framework."Many older proposals had become impractical due to evolving traffic patterns and environmental shifts. The changes in the structural plan will help ease the procedures to implement major projects like Judicial City, Logistics Park and Infopark expansion while addressing long-standing public grievances and pending court cases regarding land use," said municipality chairperson Jamal Manakkadan.The highlight of the amendment is the relaxation of agricultural zone restrictions, categorized based on flood vulnerability. In the agriculture (with flood risk) areas, residential construction limits have been increased from 300 sqm to 500 sqm, and commercial limits from 200 sqm to 300 sqm.In the agriculture (without flood risk) areas, significant flexibility has been introduced, allowing all residential types, including flats. Warehouses/godowns are now permitted on plots with 7-metre road access, with floor area ratio and coverage adhering to Kerala Municipality Building Rules.In developed zones, the municipality has introduced ‘Mixed-Use Development'. Residential,commercial and industrial zones now allow for blended usage. Notably, residential projects are now permitted within industrial and public/semi-public zones, with commercial limits in the latter increased from 200 sqm to 1,000 sqm.The draft scraps several outdated 27-metre road proposals in favour of realistic transit corridors like Seaport-Airport Road Phase II (proposed at 45m), new NH 966A link (45m width), HMT Road and Kinfra Medical College Road (22m), and Kangarappady-Medical College Road (18m).Citizens have 60 days to submit their suggestions or objections regarding this draft variation.