BHOPAL: The rampant commercialization of the upscale residential area of Arera Colony has drawn the attention of the Madhya Pradesh High Court.
The petitioners are asking for the court’s intervention to halt extensive illegal constructions including shops, showrooms, hotels, restaurants, office complexes, and other commercial enterprises in sections E-1 to E-5 of Arera Colony.
This area has retained its residential designation since 1968, when it was leased to individuals for housing. The original land use remains unchanged, yet the area’s commercial encroachments are evident.
Following an initial hearing, a division bench of the MP High Court, led by Chief Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva and Justice Vinay Saraf, issued notices to the state government, BMC, discom, and other parties involved, prohibiting further illegal construction in Arera Colony until the matter is resolved.
The petitioners, Purnendu Shukla from E-4 Arera Colony and environmentalist Subhash C Pandey, stated they are not contesting any specific order but are dissatisfied with the authorities’ inaction regarding their previous representations.
They expressed concerns over illegal constructions and land use conversions in Arera Colony (E-1 to E-5), stating these violations infringe on Article 21 of the Constitution of India, which guarantees citizens’ rights to life and liberty. The petitioners highlighted that sectors E-1 to E-5 were developed in 1968 under a Capital Project, with land allocated by the MP governor specifically for residential purposes. The lease agreements stipulated that the land must only be used for residential housing.
They further noted that, according to the Bhopal Master Plan sanctioned by the Directorate of Town and Country Planning, this region should remain exclusively residential.
Despite this, numerous violators have flouted these regulations, leading to unauthorized encroachments and illegal commercial constructions.
The petitioners argue that the ongoing commercialization is undermining residents’ quality of life and harming the environment. They are seeking a court order to stop illegal construction in Arera Colony.
They have also requested the court to prevent the central power discom from issuing non-domestic electricity connections in the area and to revoke existing non-domestic connections.
Additionally, they are advocating for the formation of a high-powered committee led by a retired High Court judge to investigate all breaches in Arera Colony E-1 to E-5 regarding planning laws and the misuse of government policies.
The petitioners have called on the Bhopal municipal corporation, urban development agency, and chief secretary of Madhya Pradesh to restore planning integrity, including the demolition or sealing of unauthorized commercial structures.
After the initial arguments, the court directed the chief secretary, principal secretaries of revenue and urban development, Bhopal collector, and other relevant authorities to respond within four weeks and to ensure no illegal construction occurs contrary to official plans.
