. NEW DELHI: Govt has asked Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) to do away with and amend some key provisions of the National Building Code (NBC) by April end. These include changes to sections dealing with fire safety, which experts said will “water down” conditions key to public safety.TOI has learnt that the changes are being made following directives from the deregulation cell under Cabinet Secretariat, which had flagged that regulations governing land and buildings are state subjects and state govts and urban local bodies deal with these issues. People aware of the development said the cell is also of the view that fire safety and its regulation fall within state authority and the provisions of NBC, along with requirements of consultants, push up costs.Israel Iran WarUS-Israel-Iran War News Live Updates: ‘All oil and energy infrastructure will turn to ashes,’ says Iran after US hits Kharg Island’I’m what?’ Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu mocks death rumours, shows off five fingers – watch’Must take care’: Trump urges nations to send warships to Strait of Hormuz as conflict with Iran intensifiesRecently, the Cabinet Secretariat intervened to withdraw the revised 2025 BIS seismic zoning map after housing and urban affairs ministry flagged the increase in cost of Metro rail projects, technical complexity and lack of stakeholder consultation. Sources said that there was a directive to BIS from Cabinet Secretariat to “immediately” withdraw the draft standards.“In the case of NBC, most changes sought by the deregulation cell have been proposed in the updated NBC. However, submissions are also being made over why there is a need to continue with the provisions dealing with fire safety since it is directly linked to life and public safety. There is no scientific data to prove that any dilution is required in this area. There is scope for improvement rather than dropping the entire chapter, which is an easy reference point for all authorities and stakeholders,” said a member of the technical committee dealing with the subject.He added that the revised NBC, which was ready for printing around June last year, was prepared with the involvement of over 1,300 professionals. “How many urban local bodies and municipalities have the capacity to come up with a detailed code? Withdrawing it suddenly will force them to go to the drawing board,” said another member.Several members of the committee said the revised NBC was prepared after more than two years’ work and just when it was about to be published, the Cabinet Secretariat wrote to all chief secretaries stating that it is not mandatory to follow the NBC. This was followed by directives to BIS to delete some parts of the NBC 2016, including the ones that deal with “integrated approach”, “administration” and “fire safety”.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosDiscussed Ways To Fast-Track EU FTA With S Jaishankar: Piyush GoyalIndian Vessel ‘Jag Laadki’ Escapes Unhurt After Attack At Fujairah Oil TerminalSTF Arrests Man Who Helped Bangladeshi Murder Suspects Sneak Into India After Dhaka KillingRahul Gandhi Writes To PM Modi, Demands Bharat Ratna For BSP Founder Kanshi RamTMC MP Mahua Moitra Accuses BJP Workers Of Bringing -Jungle Raj- To West Bengal‘Chai-Pakora At Parl Door’: Amit Shah Hits Out At Rahul Gandhi Over LPG Protest, AI Summit Row7 Indian Pilgrims Killed, Several Injured After Bus Slips Off Mountain Road In NepalInfiltration Bid Foiled In J&K: Pakistani Terrorist Killed In Army-Police Joint Operation In Uri‘Because I Am Brahmin…’: Mani Shankar Aiyar Slams BJP, Clarifies ‘Neech Aadmi’ Comment On PM Modi‘Act Of Aggression’: India Strongly Condemns Pakistan’s Air Strikes On Afghanistan123PhotostoriesStomach feels tight after a normal meal? Gastroenterologists explain why digestion can slow down and share simple habits that help ease post-meal bloating7 summer foods Indians traditionally ate to beat the heatAmerican TV sitcoms to watch with friends: ‘Friends’, ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’ and more10 benefits of eating soaked almonds daily: Dietitians explain how this simple morning habit supports brain, heart and digestive healthSara Tendulkar steps out with new bhabhi Saaniya Chandhok after Arjun Tendulkar’s wedding; their saree looks steal the spotlightThe best romantic comedies on TV: ‘Bhakarwadi’, ‘Anandibaa aur Emily’ and more6 foods that may cause bloating if eaten too often7 architectural features that increase natural light in housesPriyanka Chopra, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan to Rashmika Mandanna: Pan-Indian actresses who conquered multiple film industries10 ways Kathal or Jackfruit is prepared across India123Hot PicksIran war newsLPG crisis in IndiaElection CommissionGold rate todayIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays March 2026Bank Holidays MarchTop TrendingSanju SamsonBrittany Mahomes Net WorthWilt ChamberlainMovsar EvloevMichael BispingLPG Crisis IndiaAssembly election dateIran US WarIPL 2026 Chennai Super KingsMiddle East War
NEW DELHI: Govt has asked Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) to do away with and amend some key provisions of the National Building Code (NBC) by April end. These include changes to sections dealing with fire safety, which experts said will “water down” conditions key to public safety.TOI has learnt that the changes are being made following directives from the deregulation cell under Cabinet Secretariat, which had flagged that regulations governing land and buildings are state subjects and state govts and urban local bodies deal with these issues. People aware of the development said the cell is also of the view that fire safety and its regulation fall within state authority and the provisions of NBC, along with requirements of consultants, push up costs.Recently, the Cabinet Secretariat intervened to withdraw the revised 2025 BIS seismic zoning map after housing and urban affairs ministry flagged the increase in cost of Metro rail projects, technical complexity and lack of stakeholder consultation. Sources said that there was a directive to BIS from Cabinet Secretariat to “immediately” withdraw the draft standards.“In the case of NBC, most changes sought by the deregulation cell have been proposed in the updated NBC. However, submissions are also being made over why there is a need to continue with the provisions dealing with fire safety since it is directly linked to life and public safety. There is no scientific data to prove that any dilution is required in this area. There is scope for improvement rather than dropping the entire chapter, which is an easy reference point for all authorities and stakeholders,” said a member of the technical committee dealing with the subject.He added that the revised NBC, which was ready for printing around June last year, was prepared with the involvement of over 1,300 professionals. “How many urban local bodies and municipalities have the capacity to come up with a detailed code? Withdrawing it suddenly will force them to go to the drawing board,” said another member.Several members of the committee said the revised NBC was prepared after more than two years’ work and just when it was about to be published, the Cabinet Secretariat wrote to all chief secretaries stating that it is not mandatory to follow the NBC. This was followed by directives to BIS to delete some parts of the NBC 2016, including the ones that deal with “integrated approach”, “administration” and “fire safety”.
