Most marriage gardens in Gandhi Nagar illegal

BHOPAL: While the state government is trying to save the catchment area of Upper Lake-the lifeline of Bhopal- by limiting commercial and residential activities, marriage gardens are flouting the building permission norms and operating right under the nose of the administration.
Some of the marriage located on the banks of Upper Lake at Gandhi Nagar are are functioning "illegally" without proper permission from the municipal corporation.Against the building permissions issued for running gymnasium and clubs, over half a dozen property owners have converted them into marriage gardens, encroaching the catchment area of Upper Lake, besides, polluting it by dumping the waste.
"Almost all the marriage gardens on the Sehore road are unauthorized," Amit Gajbhiye, city planner BMC told TOI. "They are violating the occupancy norms as specified in the Madhya Pradesh Bhumi Vikas Rules, 1984 (MP Land Development Rules). The corporation had granted permission for running gymnasiums, health clubs and recreational activities in the area. However, the owners are running them as marriage gardens now," he added. "The corporation had served notices, but in vain," he said.
Marriage gardens on Bhopal Sehore road, including Green City, Gulshan Garden, Swagat Garden, Sun City Garden, Good Garden, Moonlight Garden, Sundarvan Garden and Shikhir Marriage Garden are among those that are listed as unauthorized by the corporation.
As per norms, whenever a building use is changed contrary to the permission it was sought for, the building officer may thereof order to discontinue the use of such building or any portion of the building. Such person is expected to discontinue the use within ten days of receiving the notice from the civic body.
"There are certain loop holes in this act on the basis of which the marriage gardens are operating. Building permission is not required for developing a lawn in front of any construction, if the land belongs to the owner. After constructing a building and developing a lawn or a garden, one can perform any activity in the lawn, as it does not require building permission. The marriage gardens are taking advantage of this loop hole," he said.
Presently there are over a dozen marriage gardens on this road situated alongside upper lake.