Sealing of Illegal Commercial Establishments Stalls, Bhopal Residents Mobilize

Municipal Action Falls Flat as Illegal Establishments Remain Open

Claims made by the Bhopal Municipal Corporation regarding action against illegally operating commercial establishments in residential areas proved hollow on Thursday. Despite issuing a 10-day notice period and announcing sealing operations, most shops and businesses continued to function normally after the deadline expired.

This leniency has led to widespread public anger, with residents demanding impartial and effective action from the administration. Residents of upscale areas like Arera Colony, along with other residential neighborhoods in Bhopal, have been grappling with this issue for an extended period.

They allege that extensive commercial constructions have been carried out on plots designated for residential use, in violation of regulations, and that these businesses are operating illegally. A petition has also been filed in the Madhya Pradesh High Court by regional resident Poornendu Shukla and others regarding this matter. The court has taken cognizance of the petition and sought responses from the district administration and the Municipal Corporation.

Residents claim that officials are attempting to conceal the actual situation and mislead the court. They cited a recent verdict by the Supreme Court, which clearly states that local bodies and district administrations are obligated to take immediate action against commercial activities operating on plots approved for residential purposes or against constructions in violation of rules.

Following this order, administrations in several cities, including Meerut in Uttar Pradesh, have undertaken large-scale enforcement actions. In this context, the Supreme Court has also requested detailed reports from various municipal bodies across the country on illegal constructions and actions taken within their jurisdictions.

Residents Threaten Contempt Petition Over Non-Compliance

Vivek Tripathi, a resident of Arera Colony, stated that if the Bhopal Municipal Corporation fails to take effective action in accordance with the court's directives, they will file a contempt petition in the Supreme Court. He alleged that after getting residential maps approved with the alleged connivance of the Municipal Corporation in Bhopal, massive commercial buildings have been constructed in many residential areas like Arera Colony and Rohit Nagar, severely impacting the lives of local citizens.

According to Tripathi, despite numerous complaints, the Municipal Corporation only takes superficial action against small traders, while no concrete steps are taken against establishments owned by influential individuals. He also mentioned that many buildings are operating without a Building Completion Certificate and that approved maps are being openly violated, necessitating an impartial investigation.

Failure to Act Effectively on Illegal Constructions

The Municipal Corporation had claimed to have identified approximately 1,000 illegal commercial establishments across Bhopal and issued notices, announcing that a sealing drive would commence on Thursday after the 10-day notice period expired. However, the ground reality was entirely different. Most large and influential establishments continued to operate normally throughout the day.

Upon inspecting various areas, residents found that except for a few small businesses, almost all major commercial establishments continued their operations without any hindrance. This raises serious questions about the Municipal Corporation's capability and will. This situation persists despite clear directives from the Supreme Court that violations of rules facilitating commercial activities on residential plots will not be tolerated.

The court has ordered the immediate removal or sealing of all such constructions. Nevertheless, the inaction of the local administration in Bhopal is a cause for concern. According to residents, the Municipal Corporation is merely going through the motions and not taking any substantial action on the ground. This attitude infringes upon citizens' rights and hinders the planned development of the city.

Residents Demand Strict Action Against Guilty Officials

The Joint Residents Struggle Committee, Bhopal, alleges that the Municipal Corporation's action has become a mere formality. The committee believes that weak actions are being deliberately taken to protect influential illegal commercial establishments, aiming to gain an advantage in court. The committee reiterated its full faith in the judiciary and expressed hope that the court's orders would be complied with, and strict action would be taken against the guilty as per the law.

The committee also stated that the concerned officials are responsible for the creation of such circumstances, as they failed to take timely action against constructions violating rules. It would be impossible for such large-scale illegal commercial structures to emerge without their complicity. Therefore, not only should illegal constructions be removed, but disciplinary action should also be taken against those officials who failed to discharge their duties.

Residents state that they will continue this fight until they achieve justice and their residential areas are freed from encroachment.