GUWAHATI: Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) mayor Mrigen Sarania stated on Sunday that there are buildings in some areas of the city where the ground floors are utilized for commercial activities while the upper floors serve as residences. This comes as the city awaits more clarity on a Supreme Court order issued on March 25.
The Supreme Court has instructed municipal corporations across all states and Union Territories to carry out an inquiry to identify areas designated solely for residential use that are being misappropriated for commercial purposes.
Sarania noted that within GMC’s jurisdiction, certain buildings possess both residential and commercial use permits. “I need to discuss the Supreme Court’s directive further to gain a clearer understanding,” he said.
JN Khataniar, chief consultant engineer at a private firm, raised concerns over the widespread unauthorized commercial utilization of residential areas. “The city is in disarray due to the unlawful use of residential buildings for commercial purposes. Numerous businesses have established themselves in premises originally intended for residential living,” he remarked.
Khataniar further emphasized that the first master plan by the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) in 2008, subsequently revised until 2026, was supposed to regulate construction according to zoning maps for different land uses. However, violations are routinely overlooked.
“In residential zones, new constructions are being permitted over front setbacks and along footpaths, allowing commercial activities in blatant violation of established rules. The GMC has issued trade licenses and electrical connections to such unauthorized constructions, fostering unplanned development throughout the city,” he added.
Khataniar pointed out that Guwahati was allowed to expand without a long-term vision or strict regulations after the capital moved from Shillong to Dispur in 1972-73. The GMC’s construction bylaws from 1965 remained effective until 1998 when GMDA introduced its first set of construction guidelines.
“These bylaws were revised in 2006 to comply with the National Building Code 2005. The GMDA CEO acknowledged on the very first page that there were shortcomings in the 1998 bylaws, leading to modifications in 2006 and ongoing revisions until 2026,” Khataniar noted.
“Due to the negligence of authorities and a lack of foresight from experts and politicians, residents are now facing insufficient drainage and severe waterlogging, even after minor rainfall,” he concluded.
