By The Realty Times | Real Estate News Services
New Delhi:
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has identified around 21,000
properties violating land-use regulations across the national capital and is
preparing to initiate sealing proceedings in phases. The action follows a
survey of nearly four lakh properties that found commercial establishments
operating from premises designated for residential use.
According to officials, the properties identified
include coaching centres, restaurants, grocery stores, sweet shops and other
commercial establishments functioning in residential buildings without meeting
the applicable land-use requirements.
The findings highlight the challenges faced by civic
authorities in enforcing urban planning regulations in Delhi, where residential
neighbourhoods have increasingly become locations for commercial activities.
The MCD survey covered approximately four lakh
properties across Delhi. Around 21,000 properties, accounting for nearly 5% of
those surveyed, were found to be potentially violating land-use norms.
Officials said the civic body would issue notices to
property owners and examine their compliance status before initiating sealing
action. The enforcement drive will be carried out in phases.
Of the properties identified, around 7,000 owners
reportedly claimed that they had completed the process of converting their
properties for commercial use. Another 6,000 properties were located on roads
designated for mixed land use.
The MCD will examine the relevant approvals and
payment records before deciding on further action. Properties without the
required conversion approvals, including those where applicable conversion
charges remain unpaid, could face sealing.
Delhi's land-use regulations specify where commercial
establishments can operate. While commercial activities are permitted on
designated commercial streets, certain businesses can also function along
notified mixed-land-use roads, subject to prescribed conditions.
Under the mixed-land-use framework, shops are
permitted on the ground floors of eligible properties along designated roads,
while upper floors may be required to remain residential, depending on the
applicable rules.
Official data cited in reports indicate that Delhi has
around 1,821 roads classified for commercial or mixed-land-use purposes. Of
these, 987 have been notified for commercial activities, while 834 fall under
the mixed-land-use category.
The MCD's latest survey is intended to identify
establishments operating outside these permitted arrangements and bring
properties into compliance with applicable regulations.
The survey follows a Supreme Court order issued in
March 2026 directing local bodies in the capitals of states and Union
territories to take action against residential properties being used illegally
for commercial activities.
The direction was issued in the Loganathan versus
State of Tamil Nadu and Others case. The matter originated from a dispute
involving an unauthorised structure in Chennai before the court extended its
directions to other state and Union territory capitals.
The MCD is now examining properties across its
jurisdiction to determine which establishments are eligible to continue
operating under existing land-use provisions and which require corrective
action.
The proposed sealing drive could affect thousands of
property owners, tenants and small businesses operating from residential
premises.
For Delhi's real estate market, the proposed action
serves as an important reminder that property use must comply with approved
land-use classifications and municipal regulations. The outcome will depend on
the verification process, the notices issued and the action taken against
properties found to be ineligible for commercial use.
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