NMC sends notices to about 3,000 buildings in Nagpur without occupancy certificates

The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has finished sending notices to buildings in the city that do not have an occupancy certificate (OC). The corporation's town planning department has issued notices to about 3,000 builders, housing societies and property owners. All of them have been asked to submit the sanctioned plan of their building and other required documents. Once the replies come in, preparations for action against violators will begin.

The corporation began the drive on September 17. It had first been decided that notices would reach all those concerned by October 2. But the workload on staff kept growing, and they were also put on other government duties, including the SIR (Special Intensive Revision). This delayed the drive, and the distribution of notices continued until October 26.

Recipients have been asked for the sanctioned plans of their buildings and the required papers relating to the OC. Even after the notices were issued, however, documents are not coming in as fast as expected. According to department sources, some builders and owners are going to the offices of elected representatives with their problems instead of submitting papers. There is also talk of attempts to put pressure on the department in such cases.

The town planning department now faces the challenge of scrutinising the documents and getting the rules followed. Following directions from Municipal Commissioner Dr Vipin, cases of buildings without an OC will be reviewed. On that basis, the outline of further action against builders, societies and owners will be drawn up.

For now, the department's focus is on collecting replies to the notices and the required papers. It is not yet clear how many building owners will submit the documents or in how many cases action will have to be taken for violations.

Vidyut Dhengle, an official of the town planning department, said notices had been issued to about 3,000 builders and property owners. According to the official, further action in the cases concerned will be taken after guidance and directions from senior officers.

The notice drive is over, but the real test now is the corporation's action. People in the city will be watching how strict it is with violators after the documents are examined.