BMC mulls awareness drive for homebuyers in Bhubaneswar about necessity of key certificates

The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) is reportedly planning to launch a public awareness drive to educate homebuyers about the necessity of completion certificates (CC) and occupancy certificates (OC) for housing projects. 

According to The Times of India, plans for this move follow rising complaints of buyers struggling to access basic amenities like water and sewage due to missing documentation and with Bhubaneswar Mayor Sulochana Das stating that real-estate developers often allegedly sell units without securing these certificates, leaving residents in legal and logistical limbo.

ORERA Crackdown Spurs BMC Action

The decision gains urgency after the Odisha Real Estate Regulatory Authority (ORERA) revoked registration of two Bhubaneswar housing projects in April 2024.

One project, HN Courtyard, lost its license for illegally using railway land for approach roads, while another, Mahalakshmi Nivas, was directed to secure a railway NOC within two months. 

Over 100 buyers in these Mancheswar-area projects now face uncertainty, with occupied homes at risk of losing road access if approvals fail, as ORERA also froze the developer’s bank accounts and halted sales of unsold flats.

ALSO READ: Odisha real estate: ORERA intensifies scrutiny on delayed projects with forensic audits

Why CC and OC Matter

A completion certificate, issued by architects, confirms a project is fully built as per approved plans. An occupancy certificate, granted by authorities, verifies that the building is safe for living. 

Without these, residents cannot access government utilities or legalise ownership. The BMC will collaborate with sub-registrars and the Khurda district collector to block property registrations without a valid CC/OC.

Awareness Drive to Target Buyers, Developers

According to the reports, the BMC campaign will use workshops, social media, and pamphlets to highlight the risks of purchasing uncertified properties. It aims to curb fraudulent practices by developers and empower buyers to demand documentation.

The initiative aligns with ORERA’s stricter enforcement, including its April order revoking the registration certificates of two housing projects for unauthorised use of railway land.

ALSO READ: ORERA clamps down on unauthorised developments by real estate company in Bhubaneswar

While ORERA’s actions punish non-compliance, the BMC’s drive seeks preventive solutions. For buyers, the message is to verify CC/OC before the purchase of real estate. For developers, ignoring norms could mean lost registrations, frozen assets, and legal battles.