Chandrapur: Commercial complex work begins without permission in mayor, deputy mayor's ward

Construction of a large commercial complex is under way in Chandrapur city even though the municipal corporation has not granted official building permission. The work is reportedly taking place in the Vitthal Mandir area, opposite Bajaj Polytechnic.

Notably, the area falls in the ward of Mayor Sangeeta Khandekar and Deputy Mayor Prashant Danav. With such a thing happening in the ward represented by both of the city's top office-bearers, the administration's way of working has become a subject of discussion.

A cloth trader has begun work on the complex on the land opposite Bajaj Polytechnic. The trader has applied to divide the plot into four parts, and has also submitted an online application for building permission to the town planning department of the Chandrapur Municipal Corporation. However, no decision has yet been taken on the application, according to the information available. The question now being raised is how actual work could begin when the construction has no official approval.

After a complaint about the construction, the corporation's officials concerned reportedly visited the site and gave verbal instructions to stop work. But it is alleged that construction continued even after those instructions. Expectations are being voiced that, rather than giving only verbal instructions, the department concerned should inspect the actual situation and take further action as per the rules.

Rahul Bhowar, town planner of the Chandrapur Municipal Corporation, said permission has not yet been given for the construction and that the file on the matter is pending in the town planning department. He also said that officials concerned in the corporation will decide what action to take against those involved.

Mayor Sangeeta Khandekar said the trader started construction without taking permission. She said a complaint about the matter has been received and orders have been given to stop the construction. She said the construction is not going on at present.

Thus, on one hand the permission file is pending in the town planning department and the mayor says a stop-work order has been given. On the other, it is alleged that work continued despite the instructions. Citizens are now watching what action the Chandrapur Municipal Corporation administration takes, considering the official permission for the construction, the current status of the application and an inspection of the actual work.