State issues notification to curb unauthorised construction after SC intervention

Bhubaneswar: Defying building plan norms, beware! The housing and urban development department has issued a state-specific notification taking a strong stance against unauthorised construction of any kind.The notification came abiding by the Supreme Court's ruling, which asked all the states and union territories to strictly follow the planning norms, specifically focusing on building plan approvals and occupancy and completion certificates.Though the apex court's ruling came in Dec last year, the state allegedly defied the order by not issuing the notification until the matter was challenged by a Bhubaneswar resident in the Supreme Court recently. The notification came after the SC's intervention.TOI highlighted the impact of the apex court's ruling on Odisha's real estate sector, which is marred by a series of issues, especially the lack of occupancy certificates by many buildings and hurdles in the registration and re-registration of sale deeds for apartments.With the notification in force, the real estate sector in Odisha, particularly in Bhubaneswar, is set to undergo a massive change, according to experts. "Implementation of the order now will bring huge change," real estate expert Bimalendu Pradhan said."The court has opined that the constructions put up in violation of or deviation from the building plan approved by the local authority and constructions which are audaciously put up without building plan approval cannot be encouraged," the notification reads.It says that each and every construction must be made scrupulously following and strictly adhering to the rules. "In the event of any violation being brought to the notice of the court, it has to be curtailed with iron hands, and any lenience afforded to them would amount to showing misplaced sympathy," it reads.The notification further reads that unauthorised construction, apart from posing a threat to the life of the occupants and the citizens living nearby, also has an effect on resources like electricity, groundwater, and access roads."Now in pursuance of the aforesaid judgement, the housing and urban development department issues the directions which shall be strictly adhered to in line with the Odisha Development Authorities Act, 1982, and Odisha Town Planning and Improvement Trust Act, 1956, and rules made thereunder," the notification concludes.Experts have called for the proper implementation of the order. "A proper implementation of the order would bring the much-needed regulation in the real estate sector in Odisha, particularly Bhubaneswar," industry analyst Bidwan Jena said.