The Times of India          12.08.2013

Patna Municipal Corporation uploads pix of buildings under scanner

PATNA: Want to know which building - under construction, furnished or finished - in the state capital is violating building bylaws and has been slapped Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) notice? Log on to PMC website patnanagarnigam.in and follow the link 'buildings under scanner by PMC'.

This link, available on PMC website from Sunday, shows all the 449 buildings under construction banned by the PMC as well as the 792 buildings the PMC has served notice on for violating building bylaws. The map also shows the location of the buildings.

PMC commissioner Kuldeep Narayan said these building are under PMC scanner. "It is a step to make Patnaites aware about the illegal constructions going on in their neighbourhood and also to warn those who are planning to buying new property," Kuldeep said.

On Sunday, the PMC uploaded only the pictures and location of buildings. "On Monday, we would also upload the list of buildings (their name and address) along with their ward number and police station area they fall under. This would make their identification easier," he added.

Also, the details of the building designs and preview reports approved by empanelled architects would be uploaded on the website defining the irregularities in actual shape of the building and the approved building designs.

Earlier, PMC had given a month's time for furnishing details of more than 11ft high buildings coming up on a less than 20ft wide road under different categories - furnished, under construction and finished super structure, among others.

In compliance with the Patna high court order in connection with a writ petition filed by Narendra Mishra (CWJC 8152/2013), the corporation has served notice on 792 buildings and stopped works on 449 under construction buildings across the state capital for suspected violation of building bylaws.

A PMC official said, "We have received information that despite PMC order, many builders who have received notice from the corporation to stop the construction are still carrying on with the work, especially at night." The official added, "We are identifying such builders and stern action would be taken against them."

PMC officials expect these pictures would help them in comparing the status of the building in the pictures when the construction was stopped and the present state to know whether the builder continued with the construction work or not.

The PMC website also carries a link 'register complaint regarding irregular building construction' inviting all to give details of any irregular construction going on in their neighbourhood. "One can also upload pictures of the building from their mobile phone and can upload in the complaint form. We would check each and every building against which complaint would be lodged," said the PMC commissioner. However, if you want to hide your identity, it is not necessary to give your details in the complaint.