RANCHI: The Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) is under scrutiny as it issues notices to businesses in Harmu Housing Colony for operating in residential areas, sparking concern among both traders and locals.
With eight enforcement teams actively monitoring the area, officials have asserted that the colony is designated solely for residential purposes. JSHB Secretary Binay Lakra emphasized, “All these properties were allocated for residential use exclusively, and therefore, commercial establishments cannot be allowed.”
Despite this claim, many businesses in Harmu have been operating for years, effectively transforming the area into a self-sufficient community. Currently, over 150 commercial units, ranging from grocery stores to pharmacies and clinics, function within the colony.
Manoj Sinha, a shopkeeper, remarked, “We’ve been running our shops here for 15 to 20 years. If it was illegal, why have we been allowed to operate for so long?”
Traders have also raised questions about the government’s past actions. Neha Agarwal, who owns a stationery shop, stated, “We were granted leases, electricity connections, and trade licenses. Now we are suddenly being asked to shut down. Where were these regulations all these years?”
Officials from the housing board acknowledged that Harmu has over 1,000 properties designated under various housing schemes, but reiterated that commercial usage has never been permitted according to planning guidelines.
For many residents, the colony’s gradual shift into a mixed-use area has felt organic. Mukesh, a local, stated, “People rely on the local shops daily. Closing them will negatively impact both traders and residents.”
