Bhopal Municipal Corporation Delays Final 24-Hour Notices; 750 Properties Face Action

Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) has delayed the issuance of final 24-hour notices, pushing back the action against commercial activities operating from residential properties. The corporation will now review each case individually before serving the final notices. The process is estimated to take around three days. Over 750 properties are facing a 10-day notice period that will expire within the next three days, after which the final notices will be prepared.

The impact of the action has already been seen, with several traders voluntarily shutting down their establishments and displaying posters indicating that commercial activities have ceased in compliance with the BMC's notice drive. Deputy Municipal Commissioner Bhuvan Gupta stated that the final orders are being passed after a thorough examination of each case on its merits. After the final orders are passed, any continued violation will result in action being taken.

As of now, 6,589 notices have been issued, with the drive continuing on Monday. A total of 811 notices were issued across all six assembly constituencies. These notices have now reached a total of 6,589. The earlier 1,018 notices issued in areas such as Rohit Nagar and Arera Colony remain valid. Out of the 220 property owners who responded to the 10-day notices, 85 were found to have illegal constructions, which have been demolished.

Twenty-two personal-hearing notices were issued, and final orders were passed in 24 cases. Two illegal structures were demolished on Monday alone.

Traders are planning to protest the sealing drive on August 18 from Roshanpura Square at 11 am. They will be opposing the action against commercial establishments in residential areas and demanding protection for businesses, a new Master Plan, and regularization measures similar to Gujarat's Unauthorised Development Bill-2022.