Ghaziabad: GDA Sanctions ₹100 Crore for Cranes with 100 Meter Reach After Indirapuram Fire

Ghaziabad, May 2: The Gaur Green Avenue fire on Wednesday has become a wake-up call for residents of high-rise gated societies and authorities across NCR. The Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) on Friday sanctioned ₹100 crore to procure two hydraulic platforms capable of reaching 102 metres – up to 35 floors – compared with its existing platform limited to 42 metres, or 14 storeys.

"We have decided to bypass the lengthy process of seeking approval from the board and decided to immediately procure the two platforms," an official from the Authority said.

Existing Equipment Gap

The Authority acquired the hydraulic platform that could reach only 42 metres in 2017 for ₹4 crore. However, the firefighting mechanism has not been able to keep pace with the rapid growth of high-rises in the city.

High-Rise Growth in Ghaziabad

The city, as of now, has over 400 high-rise apartments and buildings, especially concentrated in areas: Indirapuram, Crossings Republik, Raj Nagar Extension and Sidharth Vihar. Their number is set to grow exponentially in the coming years.

UP Building By-laws 2025 Changes

Under the recently approved UP Building By-laws 2025, height restrictions on buildings have been removed, allowing for vertical growth based on permissible FAR.

Previously, the maximum building height for plots less than 300 square metres was three floors with stilts up to 15 metres. On plots 300 square metres and above, four storeys with stilts up to 17.5 metres were allowed.

However, building height restrictions have now been removed for group housing, shops, commercial units and complexes, malls, hotels, single-screen cinema, miniplex and multiplex commercial complex.

A multi-storeyed building, or high-rise building, by definition, means a building above four storeys or exceeding 15 metres in height without stilt and 17.5 metres with stilt.

Official Statement

"We have decided to bypass the lengthy process of seeking approval from the board and decided to immediately procure the two platforms," an official from the Authority said.