Calcutta High Court Directs Kolkata Municipal Corporation to Halt Illegal Construction in Beniapukur
The Calcutta High Court has instructed the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) to immediately investigate and halt the construction of a building in Beniapukur if it is found to be illegal. The directive was issued by a division bench comprising Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam and Justice Chaitali Chatterjee during a hearing on a petition filed by local residents.
Court’s Intervention and KMC’s Response
The petitioners alleged that an unauthorized structure was being built on a narrow lane opposite Beniapukur Police Station. Despite multiple complaints to the police and the civic authorities, no action had been taken. The KMC’s legal representative sought two weeks to verify the claims made in the petition.
The Chief Justice questioned why the municipal corporation would delay its response until the construction was completed. He emphasized that if the building was indeed illegal, the civic body should stop the construction immediately. Following the court’s remarks, the KMC’s lawyer agreed to conduct an inquiry and assured that the construction work would be halted if found unauthorized.
Concerns Over Delayed Action
During the hearing, the petitioners' counsel argued that without immediate intervention from the court, the construction would continue unchecked. The KMC’s lawyer initially suggested that the structure could be demolished later if found illegal. However, the bench rejected this stance, insisting that preventive action should be taken instead of allowing the unauthorized construction to proceed.
The court has scheduled a follow-up hearing in three weeks and has directed the KMC to submit a compliance report detailing its findings and actions taken.
Ongoing Issue of Illegal Constructions in Kolkata
Unauthorized buildings continue to be a significant concern in Kolkata. Many residents frequently report such issues to the KMC and Mayor Firhad Hakim’s weekly ‘Talk to Mayor’ program. Complaints often highlight that despite lodging grievances, unauthorized constructions continue or remain untouched even when demolition orders have been issued.
The case in Beniapukur highlights the broader problem of illegal structures in the city and the challenges faced by civic authorities in enforcing building regulations. The High Court’s directive reinforces the need for prompt action to address unauthorized constructions before they reach completion, ensuring that legal procedures are followed and urban planning norms are maintained.
The directive to halt work before completion underscores the necessity for timely intervention by municipal authorities. The KMC’s compliance report in the upcoming hearing will be crucial in assessing its commitment to regulating construction activities in the city.
The situation in Beniapukur is one among many similar instances across Kolkata. Residents and civic activists continue to raise concerns about the growing number of unauthorized structures and the need for stronger regulatory mechanisms to prevent such developments in the future.
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