The Jamshedpur Notified Area Committee (JNAC) has begun a series of unexpected audits of commercial buildings, penalizing owners unlawfully using basements for business operations. The inspections, set to continue over the coming weeks, were initiated after three stores were found violating regulations. These actions follow a directive from the Jharkhand High Court, emphasizing the enforcement of municipal rules and building codes. Owners have been instructed to clear out the parking spaces within a week, with the JNAC set to enforce penalties for non-compliance.
The Jamshedpur Notified Area Committee (JNAC) has initiated an unexpected audit of commercial edifices, aiming to identify and penalize property owners who are unlawfully utilizing basements for business operations. These impromptu inspections, which commenced last weekend, are expected to span the next few weeks.
On the initial day of this operation, violations were detected in three high-profile stores, with two located in the chic Bistupur market and the third in the Sakchi market. All were found exploiting the basements for commercial purposes.
The implicated property owners have been instructed to willingly clear out the parking spaces within a week. Failing this, the JNAC has vowed to enforce the municipal regulations and building codes. Moreover, the owners of the three buildings in question must provide a sworn statement to the municipal authorities, pledging to prevent future commercial usage of their basements.
This decisive move by the notified area comes in response to a directive from the Jharkhand High Court for the INAC to provide a status update on its actions against over 40 buildings alleged to have infringed building codes in its jurisdiction from 2011 to 2023. The directive was issued during a Public Interest Litigation hearing on May 5th.
The SO confirmed that the JNAC, as the Urban Local Body of Steel City, has formed a rapid response team to conduct surprise inspections of commercial buildings across all market areas within its jurisdiction. An additional team from the municipal body will physically inspect commercial buildings that have previously been penalized for building code violations. Their mandate is to scrutinize the basements of these buildings for any recurring breaches of the rules.
In conclusion, the JNAC's initiative represents a significant step in preserving urban infrastructure's intended use and enforcing building laws. The ongoing surprise inspections serve as a stern reminder to commercial property owners to adhere to the prescribed regulations, ensuring the proper functioning and sustainable growth of the city's commercial spaces.