Times of India: Nagpur: Saturday, March 17, 2018.
Yet another
case of Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) neglecting unauthorized commercial
buildings has come to fore. Documents obtained under the Right To Information
(RTI) Act have revealed that two floors of Chaudhari Lifestyle building on Ring
Road near Pratap Nagar square are unauthorized. The building has been brought
into total commercial use over a year ago but no action has been taken by the
civic body.
Within a span
of 16 days, fire incidents were recorded in four commercial buildings in
Giripeth, Dharampeth, Sadar and Kalamna, the latest one being on Monday. All
four structures had unauthorized constructions and also lacked fire safety
systems and lacked sanctions.
RTI activist
TH Naidu obtained documents including sanctioned building plan of Chaudhari
Lifestyle building on Plot 69 in Atre layout. Documents show use on the land is
residential in city’s development plan (DP). NMC had sanctioned the building
plan for residential-cum-commercial on December 31, 2014.
The sanction
is for parking in basement, one shop along with letter box and AC plant room on
ground floor. First and second floors were supposed to be totally residential.
Of the total plot area of 543 sq mtrs, 60% (353.29 sq mtrs) is meant for
residential, 17.65 sq mtrs for commercial and remaining for balconies etc.
Owner of the
building Rahul Chaudhari constructed the total building for commercial use. Two
floors sanctioned for residential are being utilized for commercial purpose
making it a completely unauthorized structure.
TOI, on
January 6, had highlighted that building lacked NOC from the NMC’s fire and
emergency services department too. As per NMC’s norms, NOC from fire department
is must for commercial building/area of 150 sq mtrs or more and any building
with a height of 15 metres or more.
Stating the
building also lacked occupancy certificate, Naidu alleged NMC officials were
hand-in-glove with Chaudhari. “They showed commercial area within limit and
also kept the building’s height at 14.90 metres, just 10 cm below maximum mark.
“NMC
officials are aware of unauthorized constructions and usage as it is totally
residential plot. Still, no action has been taken. It is the responsibility of
NMC to inspect buildings during and after construction and check for deviations
from sanctioned plan but it was never done. After complaints from citizens,
only notices are issued. The building is in use for storing and selling
garments and prone to fire. Still, the building lacks all mandatory
permissions,” he said.
NMC deputy
engineer (Laxmi Nagar Zone) RV Mule told TOI a special drive will be taken to
inspect all buildings on Ring Road between Khamla square and Pratap Nagar
square soon. “There are many complaints related to the buildings in this
stretch. Appropriate action will be taken on violations,” he said.
One of the
owners Kishor Chaudhari said they were paying property tax for commercial, so
it was not a loss to the NMC. “Market areas like Sitabuldi, Dharampeth etc are
lacking parking spaces and facing congestion. There is need to develop more
commercial areas in other parts of the city. Commercial plots are not situated
and should be provided,” he said. Chaudhari added process to obtain fire NOC
was underway. “Process to install all systems is going on,” he added.
Modus
Operandi
- Owners get sanction for residential-cum-commercial building on plots
- Area of commercial use and building’s height is kept within limit
- Construction for total commercial purpose is done followed by usage
- NMC does not carry out mandatory inspections
- No check is done to ensure occupancy and fire compliance certificate
- If complaints come, only notices are issued
- Owners submit revised plan or appeal with state government and get stay on action
- No action is taken for years and violations get buried
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