Nagpur : A major compliance drive is set to begin in Nagpur after it emerged that as many as 3,243 out of 3,669 buildings in the city do not have mandatory Occupancy Certificates (OCs). Only 426 buildings have so far secured the required certificate.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has directed the concerned authorities to issue notices to all buildings lacking OCs and take steps to resolve the pending issues within four months.

The directions were issued during a meeting held at Gadkari’s Mahal office on Sunday, where the Nag River Project, building permission certificates, occupancy certificates and the confusion surrounding property registrations in Nagpur district were discussed. Maharashtra Revenue Minister and Nagpur Guardian Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule was also present.

The figures placed before the meeting highlighted the extent of the problem. Against 3,669 buildings constructed in the city, only 426 have obtained OCs, while the remaining 3,243 are yet to complete the mandatory process. Gadkari instructed officials to serve notices to the defaulting buildings and ensure that the pending deficiencies are addressed within the stipulated four-month period.

The meeting also sought to clear the confusion over registration of houses and flats in Nagpur. Gadkari and Bawankule clarified that neither they nor Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had issued any order to stop registration of newly constructed independent houses. Such registrations will continue under the existing rules, subject to submission of the required legal documents and certificates.

The clarification assumes significance against the backdrop of Bawankule’s announcement at the District Planning Committee meeting on July 27 regarding suspension of flat registrations in Nagpur until further orders. The proposed move was linked to verification of whether builders had complied with mandatory infrastructure and safety requirements before obtaining OCs.

Bawankule had subsequently directed the district sub-registrar to halt flat registrations and asked the Nagpur Municipal Corporation to submit a detailed report within seven days on compliance with mandatory infrastructure norms by residential projects before issuance of OCs.

At Sunday’s meeting, however, the focus shifted towards resolving the regulatory issues rather than putting a blanket halt on registrations. Gadkari directed officials to deal with cases involving residents with sensitivity, while ensuring strict adherence to the law.

He pointed out that several homebuyers had purchased properties after securing bank loans despite incomplete documentation. The directions are aimed at preventing genuine residents from being caught in prolonged disputes while ensuring that developers comply with statutory requirements.

At the same time, Gadkari made it clear that developers who fail to obtain Occupancy Certificates should not be permitted to register their properties.

The latest directions have therefore put the spotlight squarely on the 3,243 buildings awaiting OCs. Authorities will now have four months to issue notices, identify the deficiencies and initiate steps to bring the buildings into compliance.

In another significant planning-related decision, Bawankule had earlier announced that the NMC would henceforth approve building plans in layouts developed by the erstwhile Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT), effectively bringing building permission procedures under a single planning authority.

Source: Nagpur Today