Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): In several residential areas of Bhopal, including Aradhna Nagar, Rachna Nagar, Narayan Nagar, and Arera Colony, there is a major issue of residential houses being misused as commercial godowns, in clear violation of the Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) city planning regulations.
BMC rules explicitly prohibit the use of residential properties for commercial purposes. Basements are permitted for storage, but cannot be used for commercial activities, and any property operating as a godown must obtain a valid licence from the BMC. Despite these regulations, several houses have been converted into godowns, with goods being stored and transported regularly, causing disruptions in the area.
Residents of Aradhna Nagar, one of the affected neighbourhoods, have expressed concern over the matter. KP Sharma, a local resident, said that a house in their locality has been operating as a godown for over four years. He said that despite multiple complaints to both the district administration and BMC, no concrete action has been taken to address the issue.
In response to the complaint, BMC had issued a notice to the property owner six months ago, but the illegal godown operation still continues. Locals have highlighted the constant movement of 8-10 loading autos and heavy trucks that transport goods in and out of the godown throughout the day. This activity has led to road blockages and major inconvenience for residents.
Moreover, the frequent movement of heavy vehicles poses a serious risk, especially for children and elderly residents, increasing the chances of accidents in the area. In a statement, BMC City Planning Officer Anoop Goyal assured that the corporation takes violations seriously. “When complaints are received, we first issue a notice. If the property owner fails to comply, the property is seized by the BMC,” he said.
However, despite this procedure, the misuse of residential properties for commercial purposes continues in these areas, much to the frustration of local residents.
