Bhopal Municipal Corporation Resumes Crackdown On Commercial Use Of Homes

The Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) is set to resume its crackdown on commercial activities being operated from residential properties from Sunday. This move follows recent directions from the Supreme Court concerning unauthorised construction and land-use violations.

As a result, hundreds of homeowners have approached the BMC seeking relief through the compounding process. However, the BMC has rejected these applications, stating that the existing compounding provisions do not cover the commercial use of residential properties.

The BMC has finalised a fresh standard operating procedure (SOP) for further action, including sealing, against properties found violating the applicable rules. BMC commissioner Sanskriti Jain convened a meeting on Saturday evening to review compliance with the Supreme Court's directions.

The meeting was attended by town planners, assistant engineers, sub-engineers, and clerical staff of the Building Permission Branch. Assembly constituency-level teams have been constituted to inspect structures constructed without permission, buildings violating sanctioned plans, and encroachments.

These teams will conduct surveys across the urban area, after which the Building Permission Branch will initiate action under the Madhya Pradesh Municipal Corporation Act, 1956, and Land Development Rules, 2012. The teams will particularly survey commercial properties located along major roads and roads connected to them.

Commercial property taxpayer lists will be obtained ward-wise from zonal officers. The survey will cover roads up to 7.5 metres wide, roads between 7.5 and 15 metres, and four-lane roads or wider. Officials have also been instructed to separately identify violations involving sensitive locations, including structures near water bodies, green belts, and catchment areas.

Compounding is a process that allows certain minor construction deviations or additional construction to be regularised by paying a prescribed fee, subject to building rules and specified limits. However, the BMC has maintained that this provision cannot be used to regularise commercial activities being operated from residential properties in violation of land-use regulations.

Residents have announced a torchlight march on August 9 against what they describe as arbitrary action against residential property owners. Resident Purnendu Shukla said the protest would seek protection of residents' rights. Arera Colony resident Vivek Tripathi said residents could approach the court with a contempt petition if action was not carried out in accordance with the Supreme Court's directions.

Deputy municipal commissioner Bhuvan Gupta stated that teams would begin surveying properties across 21 zones of the city and issue notices wherever violations would be found. The BMC's crackdown on commercial use of residential properties is set to impact hundreds of homeowners and businesses in the city.

The Supreme Court's directions and the BMC's subsequent actions highlight the need for stricter enforcement of land-use regulations and building codes in the city. The crackdown is expected to improve the overall quality of life for residents and ensure that commercial activities are conducted in designated areas.

In conclusion, the Bhopal Municipal Corporation's decision to resume its crackdown on commercial use of residential properties is a significant step towards enforcing land-use regulations and building codes in the city. While the move may cause inconvenience to some homeowners and businesses, it is essential for maintaining the city's infrastructure and ensuring the well-being of its residents.