Bhubaneswar: In a significant move, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has issued a stop-work notice to the under-construction Urban Majestic Apartments in the Patia area. The land, originally allotted for industrial purposes, has been allegedly misused for constructing residential apartments, raising serious concerns about land-use violations and regulatory oversight.

Urban Majestic land misuse 

The disputed land was leased in 1979 to Tejpal Singh, proprietor of Paltronics Allied Industries. The lease covered 5000 decimal of land in Patia, intended strictly for industrial use. However, the company later amalgamated into Paltronics Allied Industries Private Limited in 2013, transferring all its assets, including the leased land. Allegedly, the land’s Kisam (land use category) was changed to facilitate the construction of residential apartments under a new entity, Urban Living Builders, led by Ruspashree Agarwal.

Government Warnings Ignored

Concerns over the misuse of land were flagged as early as September 21, 2024, by the General Administration (GA) Department. A letter addressed to the Khordha Collector, Sub-Collector, and Tehsildar objected to the construction of apartments on land designated for industrial purposes.

Subsequently, the Khordha Collector and District Magistrate issued a directive on October 18, 2024, to stop the construction. Despite these warnings, the promoters reportedly continued construction, leading the BMC to intervene. The promoters have temporarily paused construction following the BMC’s notice. Urban Majestic land misuse .

Court Intervention

The promoters of the Urban Majestic Apartments challenged the directives in the Orissa High Court, complicating the enforcement process. The Tehsildar, Bhubaneswar, was instructed to comply with the court’s directions, adding a legal dimension to the ongoing dispute.

Prominent Figures Involved

The project has drawn scrutiny due to the involvement of influential individuals and entities:

• Baijayanti Sahoo, Director of Paltronics Allied Industries and General Power of Attorney holder
• Directors including Amarendra Das, Rakesh Kumar Sahoo, Aman Agarwal, Biswaranjan Sahoo, and Kedar Nath Mishra

Role of Regulatory Authorities

The issuance of a No Objection Certificate (NOC) by the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) and BMC for residential construction on industrial land has raised questions about regulatory lapses. It is unclear how these permissions were granted despite clear objections from the GA Department and other authorities.

Call for High-Level Investigation

The case has sparked demands for a high-level probe to investigate:

1. The unauthorized change in land use.
2. The involvement of influential individuals and officials in bypassing regulations.
3. The role of BDA and BMC in issuing approvals.

Current Status

With construction temporarily halted, stakeholders and residents await clarity on the next steps. Observers have called for strict action against those found guilty and a transparent review of how such violations were allowed to occur.

This incident underscores the urgent need for accountability and stricter enforcement of urban planning rules in Bhubaneswar.

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