3 weeks ago
BMC Resumes Citywide Crackdown on Illegal Commercial Use of Homes
The city of Bhopal has rules about how buildings can be used.
Homes are meant for living in, shops belong in business areas, and green parks and places near water should not be built on.
The Bhopal Municipal Corporation, the city's local government, wants to check if people are breaking these rules.
They plan to examine more than 62,000 commercial properties across the whole city.
Special teams will survey all parts of Bhopal in three steps: illegal buildings near green belts and water, buildings built without approved plans, and shops running inside homes.
Some homeowners tried to pay a fine to make their buildings legal, but the city said no, because that option cannot be used to turn homes into shops.
The city may seal buildings that break the rules after a five-week notice period.
The action is expected to finish before the Supreme Court hears the case again on September 15.
Some upset residents plan a torchlight march on August 9 to protest, and some may ask the court for help.
The city says it is only following the Supreme Court's directions.
Bhopal Municipal Corporation is preparing a citywide drive against illegal commercial activities in residential areas, with more than 62,000 commercial properties likely to be examined under the new Standard Operating Procedure.
A three-phase survey will cover all 21 municipal zones and six Assembly constituencies, targeting green belt and water body encroachments, unsanctioned buildings, and commercial use of residential premises.
BMC has rejected compounding applications from hundreds of homeowners, saying the provision cannot regularise commercial use of residential properties.
Action including sealing is expected after the survey and the expiry of a five-week notice period, before the next Supreme Court hearing on September 15; the BMC is awaiting the written order from the August 5 hearing.
Affected residents have announced a torchlight march on August 9 against what they call arbitrary action, and some may approach the court with a contempt petition if action is not per Supreme Court directions.
- Who
- Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC), including BMC commissioner Sanskriti Jain, Commissioner-cum-Director Kaushlendra V Singh and Deputy Municipal Commissioner Bhuvan Gupta, and affected homeowners such as Purnendu Shukla and Vivek Tripathi.
- What
- A citywide crackdown involving surveys, notices and possible sealing against illegal commercial activities in residential properties and other building violations.
- Where
- Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
- When
- Surveys are set to begin from Sunday, August 9, with action expected before the next Supreme Court hearing on September 15.
- Why
- To enforce building permission, land-use and occupancy norms following the Supreme Court's directions on unauthorised construction and land-use violations.
Homeowners and Residents
BMC and Enforcement Officials
Compounding relief
Homeowners and Residents
Hundreds of homeowners approached BMC to regularise their properties through the compounding process by paying a fee.
BMC and Enforcement Officials
BMC rejected the applications, maintaining that compounding provisions do not cover commercial use of residential properties.
Fairness of the crackdown
Homeowners and Residents
Residents call the action arbitrary, plan a torchlight march on August 9, and may file a contempt petition if action is not in accordance with Supreme Court directions.
BMC and Enforcement Officials
BMC says the campaign follows Supreme Court directions, will be conducted uniformly across the city, and action will be taken wherever violations are found.
Key facts
- Governing body
- Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC)
- Properties to be examined
- More than 62,000 commercial properties
- Coverage
- 21 municipal zones and six Assembly constituencies
- Survey phases
- Green belts/water bodies; unsanctioned construction; commercial use of residential premises
- Supreme Court hearings
- August 5 (written order awaited) and September 15
- Notice period
- Five weeks granted by the Supreme Court
- Compounding applications
- Rejected for commercial use of residential properties
- Resident protest
- Torchlight march on August 9
Quotes
Deputy municipal commissioner Bhuvan Gupta
Municipal official overseeing enforcement
“Joint survey teams have been formed in all Assembly constituencies. Violations related to building permissions, illegal constructions, encroachments on green belts and water bodies, and commercial activities in residential buildings will be identified. Notices will be issued and action will be taken wherever violations are found.”
freepressjournal.in
“"Teams would begin surveying properties across 21 zones of the city and issue notices wherever violations would be found."”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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