Hyderabad malls open sans occupancy certificate, GHMC looks away

An incomplete commercial building hosting a shopping mall near RTC Crossroads in Hyderabad.
| Photo Credit: ARRANGEMENT

The Town Planning wing of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), often the source and destination of complaints at the ‘Prajavani’ grievance redressal programme, appears to overlook violations related to occupancy certificates, despite widespread non-compliance across the city.

There are several instances of large commercial buildings, including malls and multiplexes, operating without necessary clearances, such as the mandatory Occupancy Certificate (OC).

An OC is issued by GHMC to confirm that construction has been completed as per approved building norms and without deviations.

According to building norms, an OC is mandatory for any completed structure built on a plot of 200 square metres or more, or with a height of seven metres or more (typically ground plus one floor). It is a crucial requirement tied to the granting of building permissions by any civic authority.

In order to enforce the OC, the GHMC mandates the builder to mortgage 10% of the built-up area with the corporation, by way of a notarised document. The mortgage is released only after issue of OC, once Town Planning officers verify compliance with the set backs and other norms such a No-Objection Certificate from the Fire Services. Unless the OC is issued, the property cannot be occupied.

However, in several instances across the city, commercial space is being let out even before the construction is complete in all respects, leave alone the issue of OC. An upcoming multiplex near RTC Crossroads is a case in point, where the upper floors are still under construction and work is under way in the basement designated for parking lot. Even the centering frames have not been removed nor has elevation work been started yet.

However, a fancy, glittering shopping mall was inaugurated in the ground floor of the structure more than eight months ago. Enquiries with the Town Planning officials revealed that the builder has not applied for an OC yet.

“Only an informal letter has been addressed, which cannot be acted upon, as there is a process in place online to apply for OC,” an official informed. However, no action has been initiated against the builder or owner for violation of norms.

Upon enquiry, the officials came up with the excuse that “nobody has complained about the violation so far”.

Another instance can be found in Kavadiguda, where a multi-storey commercial building has been completed in all respects, and a retail chain store and a popular brand of fitness centre started functioning from it about a year ago. However, the builder has not obtained an OC so far, due to gross violations with respect to set back spaces and parking provision. Municipal authorities have decided to condone the violations, notwithstanding their authority to confiscate the 10% mortgaged space, and shut down the establishments.