Illegal buildings get 24 hours from HDMC

Illegal buildings get 24 hours from HDMC
TIMES NEWS NETWORK

24 Dec, 2006 2349hrs IST

HUBLI: The Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation is all set to do a Delhi in terms of regularising illegal commercial buildings. But before that, it is giving one final chance (24 hours) for the owners to fall in line.

The first phase of the sealing drive will start on Tuesday against 24 unauthorised commercial buildings having a built-up area of over 2,000 sqft. The HDMC on Sunday slapped notices on all 24 buildings, giving them 24 hours to either vacate the building or take corrective steps. The HDMC has formed 24 teams to take up sealing, with full protection from the police.

The drive has been initiated as part of its endeavour to regularise illegal commercial buildings in the twincities. HDMC commissioner P Manivannan said that under Section 310 of the Karnataka Municipal Corporation Act, 1976, occupation of any building without a valid CC from the municipal corporation is illegal and a punishable offence. Also, such buildings are liable to be sealed by the corporation after evicting the occupants.

Such action is necessary in the interest of citizens as buildings which are occupied without CC are generally not certified by the HDMC, fire department or electrical inspectorate, and hence they are prone to cause problems like traffic bottlenecks and fire tragedies, among others, he asserted.