AFTER issuing 8,264 notices against commercial activities allegedly operating from residential properties, the Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) has taken sealing action against only around seven establishments, prompting the petitioner and members of the Citizens Forum to question the pace and fairness of the drive. They alleged that the Corporation’s action appeared selective, with smaller traders facing enforcement while several other allegedly unauthorised commercial establishments continued to operate. The allegations come as the BMC intensifies its drive against commercial activities being carried out from residential premises in compliance with the Supreme Court’s directions. The Corporation has maintained that notices were issued to violators and action was being taken against establishments that failed to comply. On Monday, seven establishments were sealed, while 102 traders voluntarily shut their commercial operations. The Corporation described the seven sealings as the highest number carried out in a single day so far. However, petitioners and residents questioned whether such action was proportionate to the scale of violations identified by the civic body itself. Petitioners question enforcement pattern: Petitioner Vivek Tripathi alleged that the BMC was not following a uniform enforcement policy. He claimed that small traders were being pressured to close their establishments, while influential and larger commercial properties allegedly continued to function despite similar violations. Tripathi said the issue was not against traders who were complying with the law, but against the alleged unequal application of rules.

 

He demanded that every establishment found operating illegally from a residential property be subjected to the same procedure, irrespective of its size or influence. BMC cites ongoing compliance drive:The Corporation has issued 8,264 notices across Bhopal, followed by final notices to more than 100 establishments, including hotels, restaurants,pubs, bars, factories and gyms. These establishments were directed to stop commercial activities within 24 hours. 109 establishments shut in a day: On Monday, 109 establishments were closed during the Corporation’s drive. Of these, 102 voluntarily stopped operations, while seven properties were sealed by the authorities. The seven sealings marked the highest number of properties sealed by the municipal corportation in a single day so far. The teams inspected establishments and prepared panchnamas documenting voluntary closures. The traders who shut their businesses also pasted notices on their shutters stating that the commercial activity had been discontinued in compliance with Corporation orders. Narela, Madhya record highest sealing: Narela and Madhya recorded three sealings each. Narela also saw 23 voluntary closures, while 21 establishments in Madhya stopped operations. One property was sealed in Huzur, while no sealing was reported in Dakshin-Paschim, Govindpura or Uttar. Huzur recorded 18 voluntary closures, South 23, Govindpura nine and North seven. Municipal Commissioner Sanskriti Jain said the enforcement drive would continue on Tuesday. The next Supreme Court hearing is scheduled for September 15.