Bhubaneswar: Several organisations of Bhubaneswar residents on Saturday urged the government to ensure that no coercive action is taken with regard to notices issued by the civic body to owners of many commercial establishments operating in residential areas without proper consultations.
A delegation of ‘Ame Bhubaneswaria’, Bhubaneswar Development Council, Jan Jagran and Housing Welfare Committees, Housing Societies and small traders met Additional Chief Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Department Usha Padhee and places a charter of demands about 4,623 show-cause notices issued by the civic body in the city.
The delegation expressed concern over the notices issued by the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) to owners of commercial establishments operating in residential areas. The BMC has given them just four weeks to submit their planning approvals and related documents online—or risk immediate sealing and possible demolition.
The delegation included former Chief Secretary and presidentof ‘Ame Bhubaneswaria’ Vijay Kumar Patnaik, convener Basudev Bhatt, secretary Pranab Swain, chief coordinator Sanjay Das, senior members Kailash Mohapatra, Pradyumna Das, Narayan Mohapatra and Nishitha Nanda.
They stated that the notices cover 1,712 premises in the North Zone and 1,381 in the South-East Zone along with other zones. There is a threat of sealing or demolition if commercial plans and water supply certificates are not submitted.
Though the notices followed Supreme Court directive, this mechanical operation is against the Gazette Notification No. 27581-HUD-TP-POLICY-0005/2020/HUD dated November 15, 2025 of the state government, the delegation pointed out.
They said the revised definition of “residential building” includes professional establishments, rented accommodation, PG, homestay, hostel, guest houses. As many as 23 such usages are already approved in the residential zone. Commercial plan should not be sought for what is permissible in the residential zone, they said, adding that some shops have been sealed without hearing.
The delegation demanded:
1. Threat and pressure like sealing, demolition, power and water disconnection should be stopped immediately.
2. Gazette Notification of 2025 and 23 approved uses should be examined first.
3. Six months should be given for collection of documents.
4. BMC should take steps for citizen consultation and awareness.
5. Government should make a plan for regularisation under a “Sarvakshama Yojana”. Action should be taken only on large illegal constructions that endanger public safety.
Members of the delegation said that ACS Usha Padhee agreed to hold consultation meeting with city residents instead of putting them under pressure. A systematic process will be followed to regularise the violations under Gazette Notification of 2025.
Bijay Patnaik said the ACS clarified that there will be no coercive action in the name of the court, as various works are permitted under the residential permit in Gazette notification of 2025. The BMC cannot ignore that gazette and the government will adopt a balanced and people-oriented policy.
Basudev Bhatt aid the department will ask BMC to call a consultation meeting with ‘Ame Bhubaneswaria’, discuss with the citizens before taking any action.
