BDA in the dock as Supreme Court seeks clarification on contentious occupancy certificate issuance

In a significant development, the Supreme Court has summoned the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA), seeking a detailed explanation on the disputed occupancy certificate (OC) issued to a city-based apartment, Odisha’s first public-private partnership (PPP) real estate project. 

The case has sparked serious questions over regulatory compliance and governance in the state’s housing sector.

A Project Marred by Legal Battles

According to Times of India, the project, initiated by the Odisha State Housing Board (OSHB), has been entangled in legal disputes for years. Allegations of fraudulent practices and regulatory lapses have surrounded its progress.

Back in 2018, the builder was reportedly offered possession without securing an OC, prompting Odisha RERA to intervene. Later, in 2019, BDA issued a partial OC, allowing limited possession. However, a full OC in 2020, despite incomplete construction, triggered buyer protests.

By 2021, BDA’s planning member revoked the OC entirely, a move the builder challenged in the Orissa High Court. The court later directed the builder to resolve pending issues, leading to the present Supreme Court intervention.

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Hearing Set for November 7

The apex court has asked the BDA to account for its decisions, with the next hearing scheduled for November 7. “We will submit our response accordingly,” said a senior BDA official, acknowledging the case’s wider implications.

A Wake-Up Call for Odisha’s Realty Sector

Experts believe this case underscores the urgent need for stricter enforcement, as only 200 OCs have been issued out of 2,200 approved projects. They urge authorities to prioritise homebuyers’ rights and hold defaulting builders accountable, ensuring transparency, trust, and true housing justice.