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

The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has completed its notice drive against buildings in the city that do not have an occupancy certificate (OC). The NMC's town planning department has sent notices to about 3,000 builders, housing societies and house owners, asking them to submit the sanctioned building plan and other required documents.

After the replies to the notices come in, the NMC is preparing to act against those found violating the rules.

The drive began on September 17. The initial deadline for serving notices on all those concerned was October 2. However, the staff's workload increased, and they were also deployed on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and other government duties. This delayed the drive, and the serving of notices continued until October 26.

Notices were served on about 3,000 builders, housing societies and house owners, who have been asked for the sanctioned building plan and documents related to the OC.

Despite the notices, the submission of documents is not progressing at the expected pace. According to department sources, some builders and house owners are going around the offices of elected representatives with their problems instead of submitting the required documents. There is also talk of attempts to put pressure on the department in such cases.

With the notice drive over, the town planning department now faces the challenge of verifying the documents and enforcing compliance. Cases of buildings without an OC will be reviewed following directions from NMC Commissioner Dr Vipin. Further action against the builders, housing societies and house owners concerned will be planned on the basis of that review.

For now, the department's entire focus is on collecting replies to the notices and the required documents. It remains to be seen how many building owners submit the prescribed documents and in how many cases action has to be taken for violations.

According to Vidyut Dhengle, an official of the town planning department, notices have been issued to about 3,000 builders and house owners. Further action in the cases will follow the guidance and directions of senior officials.

The notice drive against buildings without an OC is complete, but all eyes will now be on the NMC's next step. How much action is taken against violators after the documents are examined remains to be seen.