Archive · 3 Jul 2025
Court Orders Action on Illegal High-Rises in Darjeeling
The court is making sure Darjeeling is following the rules about how tall buildings can be.
Someone complained that a building was built too high, breaking the rules.
The old head of the town government says they're not dealing with it correctly.
The court has told the local government to fix the problem by a certain date.
It's all about making sure buildings don't go over the allowed height.
They've tried to stop illegal buildings before but the court has stopped them.
Some people think too many tall buildings are making Darjeeling look like a concrete jungle.
Calcutta High Court directed Darjeeling civic body to address illegal high-rises by July 12.
Former Darjeeling municipality chairman, Ritesh Portel, alleged the civic body was not following court orders.
The court order concerns a building constructed with more stories than originally approved.
The municipality issued demolition notices previously, but actions were challenged in court.
Hamro Party, which held power, issued notices to multiple high-rises, aiming to stop further construction.
- Who
- The Calcutta High Court, the Darjeeling municipality, and the former chairman Ritesh Portel are involved.
- What
- Calcutta High Court is ordering the Darjeeling municipality to take action on illegal high-rises.
- When
- The court has set a deadline of July 12 for action.
- Where
- Darjeeling, India.
- Why
- To enforce building regulations and address concerns over illegal construction.
Government Action
Property Owners
Building Regulations Enforcement
Government Action
The court and some politicians seek to enforce building regulations and limit high-rise construction.
Property Owners
Previous administrations may have been lax on enforcement or sought to find ways to allow taller buildings.
- Court Direction Deadline
- July 12
- Height Limit (hill municipalities)
- 11.5 meters
- Building Approval for Height
- Prior approval from state government needed for over 11.5 meters
- Illegal High-Rises identified in 2015
- 337 in 8 wards