Patna: Authorities in Patna have launched a crackdown on unauthorised construction following a recent incident of soil slippage during basement excavation near the Boring Road intersection. The Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) has set up an investigation team to identify and take action against those who have begun building work without securing prior approval of construction plans.
The move comes amid growing concern over safety and regulatory compliance. Officials say the probe will cover not only ongoing construction activities but also the validity of the 234 applications currently submitted for building permits within PMC limits.
As part of the drive, on-site inspections will be carried out to verify whether construction has started before the approval of building maps—a clear violation of regulations. The Urban Planning Branch of PMC, along with zonal-level Executive Officers, will jointly carry out these inspections.
Under the existing system, applicants are required to submit plans via the online AutoMAP platform. Construction is permitted only after approval is granted, following a technical review. However, officials now believe that several applicants may have flouted these norms, triggering safety and legal concerns.
“Strict action will be taken against individuals who withhold information or violate building bylaws,” said Municipal Commissioner Animesh Kumar Parashar. He added that special teams have been deployed across all six PMC zones—Pataliputra, Nutan Rajdhani, Kankarbagh, Bankipur, Patna City, and Azimabad.
These teams will not only inspect construction sites but also submit geo-tagged photographs as part of their reports, in a bid to enhance accountability and transparency.
