Guwahati Municipal Corporation Implements New Measures for Urban Development
Guwahati Municipal Corporation's New Initiatives
Guwahati, Dec 3: The Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) has introduced a series of initiatives aimed at enhancing urban development processes and addressing public frustrations regarding delays in obtaining building clearances.
To expedite pending building permissions, occupancy certificates, and regulatory matters, GMC will host a special approval camp that will run until December 31.
Mayor Mrigen Sarania pointed out that there is considerable misunderstanding among residents regarding the construction approval process, particularly the belief that a planning permit from the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) serves as the final authorization for construction.
“The planning permit is merely a preliminary step. GMDA issues this permit after gathering necessary documents, which are then sent to GMC for verification and the actual building permission,” Sarania explained.
He acknowledged that delays in document verification are a common complaint among applicants, stating that the upcoming camp aims to alleviate this backlog.
“Our engineers will review all outstanding documents related to building permissions, occupancy certificates, and regulatory cases. Once approved, these files will be forwarded directly to the Commissioner for final consent,” he added.
Despite a slowdown in construction activities this fiscal year, GMC is determined to sustain its revenue collection. With a target of Rs 16 crore from building permissions for 2024–25, the municipal body has so far managed to collect only Rs 2.5–3 crore.
“While we aim to boost revenue, we will not issue licenses indiscriminately,” the Mayor cautioned, encouraging residents to adhere to approved building plans to avoid penalties or demolition.
Emphasis on Occupancy Certificates
Sarania highlighted that many property owners neglect to apply for occupancy certificates, which are essential for establishing the legal status of a building. These certificates are directly tied to holding tax assessments and property transactions.
“A building cannot be legally sold unless it has received an occupancy certificate. We only process holding tax after occupancy is granted. Our engineers will also track which buildings have received occupancy and which have not,” he stated.
The Mayor reiterated that GMC can only grant permissions for miyadi (permanent) land, and no approvals will be issued for non-arable or hilly areas, in accordance with urban planning regulations and environmental standards.
Enhanced Mosquito Control Efforts
In response to rising public health concerns, Sarania reported an increase in mosquito complaints in various neighborhoods following the monsoon season. GMC has intensified its fogging and larvae control efforts to mitigate breeding.
“We currently operate eight large fogging machines with a 50-meter range, and we are working to expand our capacity to 40 machines,” he announced.
To bolster ward-level responses, GMC has acquired 120 spray machines, distributing two to each ward to target larvae and prevent breeding.
With a dual focus on resolving civic backlogs and addressing seasonal health issues, GMC aims to enhance service delivery and ensure better adherence to urban development standards.