Mumbai, Oct. 11 -- The state government has simplified the process for approval of high-rise buildings in the city measuring up to 180 metres, which corresponds roughly with 50 storeys. As per the modified Development Control and Promotional Rules (DCPR), 2034, the municipal commissioner can clear proposals for high rises up to 180 metres on plots measuring 2,000 square metres or more, provided project proponents submit the structural design and geo-technical report certified by two experts from designated government-run institutions. In the construction industry, one storey corresponds to roughly 3.5 metres. Buildings taller than 120 metres, roughly 30 storeys, were earlier subject to approval of the civic body's High Rise Committee, based on stability, design and adequate fire safety measures. The notification regarding the rule change was issued by the urban development department on Friday, overlooking concerns raised by the civic body, the Urban Design Research Institute and others. The decision was taken to enhance the ease of doing business, following repeated demands from builders, officials said. According to the notification, the BMC chief can now clear proposals for buildings measuring between 120 and 180 metres, provided project proponents submit a geo technical report certified by two experts from the Indian Institute of Technology - Bombay, the Sardar Patel College of Engineering in Andheri, and the Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute in Matunga. The municipal commissioner shall constitute a technical committee for buildings higher than 180 metres or those having a slenderness ratio of nine or more irrespective of the height, the notification further stated. Slenderness ratio refers to the ratio of a building's height to its width. Manoj Daisaria, former president of the Practising Engineers, Architects and Town Planners Association, welcomed the development, saying one of the key hurdles in approvals had been removed and it would speed up approvals by 90 days. "Mumbai has a lot of tall structures. The quality of construction has improved drastically, so has structural design," he said. "When I started practicising as an architect in 1982, buildings measuring 24 metres were considered high rises. Now, 40 years later, 180 metres is considered high-rise. This is only thanks to technology." Former chief fire officer of Mumbai fire brigade, Hemant Parab, said builders would have to install robust fire fighting systems to ensure safety. "Our aerial ladder platforms can go up to 90 metres. Since Mumbai is a coastal city and there is high wind velocity, internal fire-fighting is the only way to deal with emergencies," he said....