AFTERweeks of notices and surveys, the Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) has finally begun taking enforcement action against commercial activities operating in residential areas. However, the action so far remains largely nominal, with the civic body sealing an OYO hotel in Gautam Nagar on Wednesday despite having issued 8,264 occupancy violation notices across the city. The sealing of the property at building number A-23 in Gautam Nagar is among the first visible enforcement actions following the corporation’s extensive notice drive. The civic body has maintained that the action is being carried out in compliance with Supreme Court directions and existing municipal and land-use regulations. The corporation’s latest figures, however, highlight the limited scale of enforcement. While 8,264 notices had been issued by August 26, the number of properties actually sealed or subjected to further coercive action remains far smaller. 8,264 notices, but action still limited: The BMC issued 1,018 occupancy violation notices up to August 5 and another 7,246 notices thereafter, taking the total to 8,264. The corporation is continuing surveys along major roads and adjoining lanes to identify properties allegedly being used in violation of approved occupancy or land-use norms. The latest sealing action was carried out by a joint team of the building permission, revenue and encroachment branches. The corporation said the property owner had already been informed about the occupancy violation and was issued a final notice on August 24 under Section 303 of the Madhya Pradesh Municipal Corporation Act. The action followed the corporation’s direction to stop the commercial activity and restore the property to its sanctioned use.

 

Enforcement begins, but scale remains question: The move comes after growing pressure on the corporation to move beyond issuing notices and actually enforce the rules. For weeks, the civic body has been surveying properties and issuing notices, while commercial establishments in several residential neighbourhoods have continued to operate. The sealing of one property now signals the beginning of enforcement, but the question remains whether the corporation will take similar action against the thousands of properties that have received notices or whether the exercise will remain confined to a handful of cases. The issue has also exposed a wider conflict over the character of Bhopal’s residential neighbourhoods. Traders say several businesses have operated for years and provide employment and essential services, while residents complain that unregulated commercial activity has increased traffic, noise and congestion. Traders seek policy change, not blanket sealing: The action has prompted renewed opposition from traders. Under the leadership of the Bhopal Chamber of Commerce and Industry, traders held a prayer meeting at the Mahatma Gandhi statue at the Kushabhau Thakre Convention Centre on Wednesday and sang Ramdhun. Traders demanded a permanent solution instead of what they described as enforcement through notices and sealing. They have sought an amendment to the master plan and a clear mixed land-use policy that would allow long-standing businesses to be regulated rather than abruptly shut down.

 

They also argued that ordinary shops should not be placed in the same category as establishments that operate late into the night. Traders have demanded stricter regulation of activities such as bars and pubs while seeking a more practical approach towards regular shops serving local neighbourhoods. Residents want residential areas cleared: Residents, meanwhile, are demanding exactly the opposite. The Shivaji Nagar Residents’ Association organised a candle march on Wednesday evening against commercial establishments operating in residential areas. Residents of Machna Colony and Five Number Market participated in the march from Rajiv Gandhi School to Five Number police outpost. They said commercial activity had led to increased traffic, crowds and noise and was affecting the safety of schoolchildren. Residents have demanded that shops operating in residential areas be shifted to designated commercial zones and that the corporation strictly enforce land-use rules. BMC says more action will follow: BMC Deputy Commissioner Bhuwan Gupta said the survey and sealing drive were continuing. He said the corporation was acting under the existing provisions of the Municipal Corporation Act and land development rules and in compliance with Supreme Court directions. Gupta said traders’ demands for mixed land use and amendments to the master plan had been forwarded to the state government, as changes to those provisions fall under the government’s jurisdiction.

 

Traders seek policy change, not blanket sealing THE action has prompted renewed opposition from traders. Under the leadership of the Bhopal Chamber of Commerce and Industry, traders held a prayer meeting at the Mahatma Gandhi statue at the Kushabhau Thakre Convention Centre on Wednesday and sang Ramdhun. Traders demanded a permanent solution instead of what they described as enforcement through notices and sealing. They have sought an amendment to the master plan and a clear mixed land-use policy that would allow long-standing businesses to be regulated rather than abruptly shut down. They also argued that ordinary shops should not be placed in the same category as establishments that operate late into the night. Traders have demanded stricter regulation of activities such as bars and pubs while seeking a more practical approach towards regular shops serving local neighbourhoods. Residents want residential areas cleared Residents, meanwhile, are demanding exactly the opposite. The Shivaji Nagar Residents’ Association organised a candle march on Wednesday evening against commercial establishments operating in residential areas. Residents of Machna Colony and Five Number Market participated in the march from Rajiv Gandhi School to Five Number police outpost. They said commercial activity had led to increased traffic, crowds and noise and was affecting the safety of schoolchildren.

 

Residents have demanded that shops operating in residential areas be shifted to designated commercial zones and that the corporation strictly enforce land-use rules. BMC says more action will follow: BMC Deputy Commissioner Bhuvan Gupta said the survey and sealing drive were continuing. He said the corporation was acting under the existing provisions of the Municipal Corporation Act and land development rules and in compliance with Supreme Court directions. Gupta said traders’ demands for mixed land use and amendments to the master plan had been forwarded to the state government, as changes to those provisions fall under the government’s jurisdiction. He made it clear that until any policy change is made, the corporation will continue taking action against violations under the existing rules. Supreme Court hearing scheduled for September 15: The corporation has accelerated its survey and enforcement drive following directions from the Supreme Court. The next hearing in the matter is scheduled for September 15, when the corporation is also required to submit a report on the action taken.