JAIPUR: The Supreme Court has mandated that municipal bodies in all state and Union Territory capitals conduct a survey of residential areas used for commercial activities, submitting affidavits detailing violations by May 15, 2026. This places the Jaipur Municipal Corporation (JMC) under a tight deadline.
The directive was issued during a hearing regarding unauthorized commercial use in a Chennai colony, with Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and R. Mahadevan expanding its nationwide application.
“Authorities must conduct a thorough investigation to identify areas designated for residential use that are being misappropriated for commercial purposes. A comprehensive report outlining these cases must be presented to this Court in the form of affidavits, to be personally affirmed by the respective Commissioners,” stated the court in its March 25 ruling.
JMC officials reported that teams have been established to compile the necessary report. “We need to deliver the report by May 15 and will commence the identification of these locations soon,” an official mentioned.
Civic experts have indicated that violations are prevalent throughout Jaipur, with shops, offices, coaching centers, and hostels operating in residential areas due to inadequate enforcement.
“Instances of commercial use can be found in virtually all residential neighborhoods, primarily due to the negligence of civic officials,” said Chandra Sekhar Parashar, a former additional chief town planner.
He noted that this trend undermines designated commercial zones. “If commercial activities continue unchecked in residential areas, businesses will have little incentive to invest in spaces specifically intended for commercial use,” he added.
Officials have identified hotspots such as Gopalpura, Mahesh Nagar, Lal Kothi, and Pratap Nagar, citing recent actions against a rooftop swimming pool facility alleged to be open to the public. They also reported a disconnect between the Jaipur Development Authority (JDA) and JMC.
“While the JDA approves building plans, the JMC issues trade licenses without verifying land use, resulting in misuse,” an official stated.
