BHUBANESWAR: Weeks after issuing notice to property owners who were allegedly using residential buildings for commercial purposes, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has stopped issuance of trade licence to those unable to submit valid plan approval for commercial purpose.
BMC deputy commissioner for revenue Ajaya Kumar Mohanty informed TNIE that the civic body has now mandated valid commercial plan approval for a space, structure or property to issue trade licence.
In view of this development, the corporation has also suspended grant of trade licence to those applying online without having a valid plan approval for commercial use of their property. “The new move has come into force from the last three weeks,” Mohanty said.
He, however, clarified that those who possess a valid plan approval for commercial use of their property won’t face any difficulty in obtaining it.
Mohanty also clarified that all property owners including households, using their property for commercial purpose, have been asked to upload their plan approval on the BMC or Bhubaneswar One portal. “The trade license of those unable to provide a valid plan approval will be suspended, apart from other appropriate action,” the officer said.
As it is, the civic body, in line with the September 4, 2025 notification of the H&UD department and in compliance with the recent Supreme Court order, has initiated crackdown against properties that are being used unauthorisedly for commercial purpose. The apex court has directed all municipal authorities across the country to take immediate and effective action against unauthorised constructions and deviations from approved building plans, including sealing, demolition and other measures as applicable under law.
In line with the directive, BMC has identified a total of 4,632 plots asking them to submit their plan approval and other statutory documents for commercial use of their residential buildings, within four weeks.