Patna: The Patna district administration has announced support for a special enforcement drive by the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) Bihar aimed at identifying and taking action against builders and developers allegedly operating in violation of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act.
The decision was discussed during a coordination meeting involving officials from RERA Bihar, the Patna district administration and urban local bodies, held at the Patna Collectorate on Friday under the chairmanship of District Magistrate Dr Thiyagarajan S.M.
Addressing the meeting, the District Magistrate highlighted the importance of strict compliance with RERA regulations by all stakeholders, including builders, developers, promoters, officials of urban local bodies, revenue authorities and members of the public.
He said Bihar’s capital is witnessing rapid urban growth driven by government-led development initiatives, making awareness of RERA provisions increasingly important to safeguard the interests of homebuyers and plot purchasers.
Consumer Protection And Transparency
Dr Thiyagarajan said RERA serves as a legal safeguard for consumers against issues such as project delays, structural defects and a lack of transparency in the real estate sector.
He noted that the legislation promotes accountability, transparency and financial discipline among developers while protecting buyers from fraudulent practices.
The District Magistrate directed officials to remain vigilant and proactive in enforcing the Act and instructed them to take strict legal action against any violations.
At the request of RERA Bihar, the district administration also agreed to actively assist the authority’s ongoing special campaign against builders allegedly violating the law.
Officials said the objective is to facilitate swift action against offenders and prevent homebuyers from becoming victims of misleading or unauthorised real estate projects.
Buyers Urged To Verify RERA Registration
Explaining key provisions of the Act, Dr Thiyagarajan said real estate and land-related transactions are highly sensitive and that even minor irregularities can create long-term legal and financial complications.
He reminded stakeholders that RERA registration is mandatory for apartment projects intended for sale if they contain more than eight flats or occupy more than 500 square metres of land.
Similarly, plotted developments covering more than 500 square metres must also be registered with RERA before plots can be marketed or sold.
The District Magistrate warned that buyers who invest in unregistered projects risk encountering difficulties related to registration, mutation and ownership rights.
Referring to complaints received during public grievance hearings, he said cases involving deception and financial fraud in real estate transactions continue to surface.
He added that Sub-Divisional Officers, Sub-Divisional Police Officers and other senior officials are regularly directed to investigate such complaints and take prompt action.
To avoid such situations, buyers were advised to verify a project’s RERA registration number and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements before making any purchase.
Dr Thiyagarajan warned that developers who fail to register eligible projects could face penalties, including fines and imprisonment under the provisions of the Act.
Satellite-Based Inspections Underway
The District Magistrate informed the meeting that joint inspections involving RERA officials and district administration teams had recently been carried out in several parts of Patna district using satellite imagery-based monitoring.
Areas inspected include the Danapur-Shivala-Kanhauli corridor, the stretch from Mithapur Elevated Bypass to Punpun via Sampatchak, and the route between AIIMS Patna and Naubatpur.
Officials have been instructed to submit inspection reports promptly so that appropriate legal action can be initiated wherever violations are detected.
Awareness Campaign And Inter-Departmental Coordination
The District Magistrate also directed officials to organise periodic sensitisation workshops across the district to improve awareness of RERA provisions among flat buyers, plot purchasers and other stakeholders.
He called for stronger coordination between departments to ensure the effective implementation of real estate regulations and urged members of the public to familiarise themselves with RERA guidelines before investing in property.
The meeting was attended by several senior officials, including RERA Inquiry Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Singh, RERA Secretary Animesh Pandey and Patna Municipal Commissioner Yashpal Meena.
Addressing the gathering, Singh said the active cooperation of district and municipal administrations is essential for implementing the RERA Act in both letter and spirit.
Focus On Imagery-Based Inspection Campaign
RERA Bihar’s current enforcement drive has been branded as the “Imagery-Based Inspection” (IBI) campaign.
Under the initiative, satellite imagery is used to identify projects that appear to be under construction without complying with RERA requirements.
Once potential violations are identified, RERA officials conduct field inspections with support from district authorities to collect evidence and initiate legal proceedings where necessary.
RERA Bihar has already undertaken similar inspections in Saran, Bhagalpur, Purnia, Darbhanga and Muzaffarpur districts.
Officials noted that legal action has been initiated against 18 builders in Saran as part of the campaign, which aims to prevent consumers from investing their savings in unauthorised or non-compliant projects.
