Is your building plan in Bhubaneswar valid as confusion over BDA or BMC authority persists?

The question ‘Which body holds the authority to approve building plans in Bhubaneswar?’ remains contentious. Despite transfer of the responsibilities to the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) in 2015, the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) continues to grant plan approvals, raising eyebrows among citizens and stakeholders alike.

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Recent findings obtained through the Right to Information (RTI) Act reveal that BDA has sanctioned 2,858 projects from 2015 to 2023. This has not only muddled the regulatory landscape but has also resulted in a substantial financial discrepancy. Revenue to the tune of Rs 48.14 Crore has been diverted to BDA funds, which should have legally belonged to the civic body in Bhubaneswar, BMC.

Know why the confusion persists

For those looking to build or purchase properties, this dual system introduces a layer of confusion regarding the legitimacy of their construction plans. Despite regulations indicating that BMC should oversee approvals, the BDA has remained an active participant in granting permissions.

With residents questioning the legality of several projects approved by BDA over the past eight years, there is rising pressure on local government to regularize these transactions.

Both BMC and BDA have acknowledged the figures presented under the RTI parameters but have remained silent on the reasons behind this enduring oversight.

Amidst this confusion, ordinary citizens who have invested in these 2,858 projects find themselves in a legal-technical limbo, anxiously awaiting clarity from the authorities.

“Without any authorization and any power, BDA has approved the building plans in areas under the BMC jurisdiction. BDA has collected over Rs 48 Crore through different fees, which are the dues of BMC,” a real estate expert, Bimalendu Pradhan said to OTV.

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“What will be the fate of those who have got plan approvals? Are the approvals valid? Will the houses not be demolished?” Bimalendu Pradhan questioned.

“Actions must be taken against the officials who are behind this,” the real estate expert said.

When contacted, the BDA and BMC authorities avoided giving any comments.