Odisha Government Cracks Down on Illegal Constructions After Supreme Court Order

Bhubaneswar : The Housing and Urban Development (H\&UD) Department of Odisha has rolled out tough new measures to curb unauthorised and illegal constructions across the state. The move follows a December 17, 2024, Supreme Court judgment that stated buildings raised without planning permission or in violation of approved plans cannot be tolerated.

As per the latest notification, builders and developers must submit an undertaking that possession of any building will be handed over only after securing a valid completion or occupation certificate. Approved building plans must also be displayed prominently at construction sites.

Authorities will issue completion or occupation certificates only if a project strictly adheres to the sanctioned plan. Any deviations must be corrected before approval. Further, service connections—electricity, water, and sewerage—will be provided only after submission of completion certificates.

The government has ordered that business or trade licences will not be granted to unauthorised buildings, whether residential or commercial. Similarly, banks and financial institutions must approve loans only for projects backed by valid completion or occupation certificates.

The H\&UD Department has directed immediate legal action against violators and warned that officials issuing wrongful certificates will face penalties. Departments have been asked to fully cooperate in demolishing or regulating illegal structures, with delays treated as serious lapses.

All pending appeals and applications concerning unauthorised constructions must be resolved within 90 days, as mandated under statutory provisions.

The government stressed that unauthorised buildings endanger lives, overload civic infrastructure like roads, water and electricity, and harm the environment. It reaffirmed that urban planning should prioritise public interest over individual gain.