India, Sept. 10 -- The state urban development department (UDD) has permitted the CEO of the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) to circumvent a rule mandating that a high rise of 90 metres must have two staircases. The earlier rule, which was for buildings of 70 metres, was that they had to have a staircase of at least 1.5 metres' width and an NOC from the chief fire officer. When the government in 2021 permitted SRA buildings to go from 70 metres to 90 metres, the caveat was that they be constructed with two staircases.

UDD officers told HT that the rule would be relaxed for buildings where 50% of the work was completed.

HT has a copy of the letter sent by the UDD to SRA CEO Mahendra Kalyankar on September 8, which refers to a letter ...