Gujarat High Court ordered the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) to take substantial steps against 26 commercial buildings, including sealing, for not owning a fire NOC.
The Gujarat HC also told the AMC to take immediate action against 1,128 residential buildings and 259 others. As per the reports, owners use these infrastructures for commercial or residential purposes, which is illegal.
The bench has provided the civic body with two weeks to take concrete action against the three categories of structures. Also, the AMC has to submit a report by June 30.
The HC took these decisions in the light of a survey that says 1,833 out of 2,160 buildings violate the building bylaws. Thus, 84% of the buildings are running without permission. Amongst these, 26 buildings failed to achieve their fire prevention systems audited in time.
Apart from this, the court has also asked for a solution for the matter within five weeks. The court said it is necessary to take such actions for occupant safety and accident prevention.
Chief Justice Aravind Kumar and Justice Ashutosh Shastri also asked the AMC to strengthen their rules and implementation.
Amit Panchal, the petitioner, insisted on the HC for quick action. The issue has existed before the court in various litigations for the past 22 years. The petitioner complained that the state government did not place details about its survey regarding violations of building bylaws in corporation areas.
The AMC told the HC that of the 10,468 highrises and community buildings, 1,416 were without fire NOCs. It had lodged 45 criminal complaints against defaulters. Further, it requested the Gujarat High Court to direct the chief metropolitan magistrate (CMM) to designate more courts to file complaints against buildings without fire NOCs.
Read More: Gujarat Villages Merger With Neighbouring Union Territories Postponed
