Raj lifts cap on bldg height, set to embrace skyscrapers

Jaipur: After high-rise complexes, Rajasthan’s cities may soon see skyscrapers rivalling Mumbai, Bengaluru and Delhi.Following a regulation of the central govt notified in January 2026, the state govt has issued an order allowing building heights to extend without a fixed cap.Speaking to TOI, a senior urban development and housing (UDH) department officials said that the move will accelerate vertical development beyond housing, enabling commercial towers, schools, and hospitals to integrate mixed-use facilities within single structures.“Until now, the construction of buildings in Rajasthan’s cities was permitted only up to a maximum height of 70 metre. This 70-meter limit was established in 2020, based on the operational capacity of the state’s tallest fire ladder (firefighting aerial platform). Now, under the new provision, the height of a building can now be extended to any limit, provided the buildings are equipped with state-of-the-art and robust firefighting systems. In short, buildings adhere to the National Building Construction Standards (NBCS) 2026,” stated the town planner.The Centre in Jan 2026 has formulated the Compliance Reduction and Deregulation” (Phase-II) initiative and this notification has been issued to substitute the regulations under the Model Rajasthan Urban Area Building Regulations, 2025 in accordance with this initiative. The notification was issued on May 29.A senior town planner of the UDH department explained that stacking services and residences can lead to significant land savings in dense urban pockets.The central govt’s deregulation initiative highlighted international case studies depicting how schools in Mumbai have used vertical advantage, instead of a large plot, by constructing swimming pool on the rooftop or other recreational facilities within the building itself.“The govt is also moving to abolish Sections 90A and 90B of the Rajasthan Land Revenue Act, 1956, to streamline approvals. It means, in future there won’t be any requirement to change use of land in Rajasthan,” a senior town planner disclosed.