KOLKATA: In response to complaints about significant irregularities in the use of residential buildings for commercial activities without proper authorization, the New Town Kolkata Development Authority (NKDA) has issued stop-operation notices to 69 buildings following inspections in New Town last year.
The authority is conducting a block-wise evaluation of nearly 1,000 buildings that were flagged for potentially violating the allowed 40% commercial use within residential structures.
According to officials, around 1,200 buildings were identified as part of investigations into suspected violations that emerged from surveys conducted in late 2024. “Initial visits led to a reduction in the number of suspected buildings to nearly 1,000 as some businesses voluntarily closed or made necessary adjustments. Inspections further confirmed serious violations in 69 buildings, leading to notices issued up to February this year,” an official stated.
Currently, a detailed assessment is underway to analyze each suspected building’s usage, with the NKDA expecting to provide accurate figures on the extent of violations within two to three months.
Until mid-last year, the NKDA directly issued No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to parties wishing to utilize parts of residential buildings for commercial purposes. However, due to an increase in complaints regarding severe infractions, the NKDA now only grants provisional NOCs for six months. During this period, applicants must submit all necessary documents and licenses before receiving a final NOC. So far, eight provisional NOCs have been issued, with five applicants receiving their final NOC after complying with documentation requirements, officials reported.
