Kolkata: The high-level committee set up after the Taratala warehouse collapse and empowered to look after the safety aspects of the under-construction high-rises across the state has decided to give the go-ahead to the pending housing projects in Kolkata based on the safety audit report and an undertaking given by the engaged realtors.According to a Kolkata Municipal Corporation buildings department official, in phases, names of 300 such housing projects were sent to the high-level committee in Sept. According to the official, primarily out of the pending projects, while 178 projects passed the safety audit test satisfactorily, others were asked to improve on certain safety measures.“Finally, we sent our recommendations to Nabanna based on our findings. However, we will continue our vigil,” said the KMC official.KMC in July issued a modified notification, clarifying that owners of all buildings up to five storeys (G+4) with valid sanction plans could go ahead with constructions, emergency maintenance and repairs. KMC had to come up with the notification following a rush of harassment complaints from homeowners, who said they were unable to construct, repair or renovate buildings up to five storeys despite being outside the purview of the work suspension order.But KMC pointed out, the exempted category would have to apply to the municipal commissioner’s office to resume work. KMC also allowed high-rise projects to complete critical work, such as sheet piling, retaining structures, excavation stabilisation work, dewatering operations and bracing systems, where excavation had already started for basement construction and pile caps for deep or shallow foundations, to prevent soil collapse and safeguard adjoining properties.“Of the 706 high-rise projects across 18 urban local bodies where construction had been halted and a comprehensive audit was undertaken, around 300 projects were in Kolkata. Nearly all of them were allowed to resume operations except a handful where gross violations had been identified,” said Credai West Bengal president Sushil Mohta.