BHUBANESWAR: The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) is set to activate its enforcement squads to address deviations from approved building plans. This move is significant as the corporation is due to submit its action report on unauthorized constructions to the Supreme Court on August 4.
According to officials, the planning wing of BMC will conduct inspections to identify violations such as unauthorized additional floors, encroachments on required setback areas, and alterations to sanctioned building plans. Enforcement squads will recommend actions based on their findings, following the applicable building laws.
Sridhar Jena, chairman of BMC’s planning and development standing committee, stated that the issue was discussed in a recent meeting, where members recommended these actions. “The proposal was accepted, and steps will be taken accordingly,” he confirmed.
This initiative comes in light of increased scrutiny from the Supreme Court regarding unauthorized constructions and commercial activities in residential areas. The issue gained traction following the Supreme Court’s Barjatya judgement on December 17, 2024, which stated that the regularization of unauthorized constructions could only occur after a thorough survey and assessment of environmental impact. The court directed states to implement guidelines regarding occupancy certificates and related regulations. On September 4, 2025, the state government issued a notification in line with the ruling but omitted a crucial provision, Clause X, which emphasized strict adherence to the order, warning that non-compliance would result in departmental action against responsible officials. A subsequent contempt petition raised concerns about this omission in the apex court.
The Barjatya ruling has sparked extensive national debate on building compliance. The Loganathan case, stemming from Tamil Nadu’s commercial use of residential properties, led to a broader examination across India as of March 25, 2026, scrutinizing municipalities in all state capitals.
During a subsequent hearing on May 20, 2026, BMC submitted an affidavit citing 153 properties allegedly involved in violations. The court mandated that states and urban local bodies provide action reports related to sealing, demolition, and enforcement measures, as well as updates on the implementation of the Barjatya ruling. It also instructed appellate and quasi-judicial bodies to resolve related cases within three months.
The proceedings accelerated after recent fire incidents in commercial establishments in Lucknow and New Delhi raised safety compliance concerns regarding buildings used contrary to approved plans. At a hearing on July 9, the Supreme Court expressed strong disapproval of unauthorized constructions, rejecting the routine regularization of violations.
Real estate expert Bimalendu Pradhan criticized BMC’s disclosure of only 153 properties, arguing that this figure fails to represent the scale of violations in Bhubaneswar. “A comprehensive survey is needed to accurately identify unauthorized constructions, occupancy certificate infringements, and commercial activities in residential buildings,” he asserted.
