Engineer flags commercial use of residential properties

Guwahati: Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) mayor Mrigen Sarania on Sunday said there are buildings in certain areas of the city where the ground floors are used for commercial purposes and the floors above are used for residential purposes,while waiting for more clarity on a Supreme Court order issued on March 25.

The apex court in its order has directed municipal corporations of all states and UTs to conduct an inquiry within their respective jurisdictions to identify areas that are demarcated exclusively for residential use, but are being misused for non-residential purposes.

Sarania said there are buildings with both residential and commercial use permits within GMC’s jurisdiction. “I will have to discuss the Supreme Court order to get some more clarity,” he added.

JN Khataniar, chief consultant engineer at a private firm, flagged rampant unauthorised commercial use of residential areas.

“The city has descended into chaos with unauthorised use of residential buildings for commercial purposes. Many have set up businesses in structures originally meant for residential use,” he said.

Khataniar pointed out that the first master plan prepared by the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) in 2008 — later modified up till 2026 — regulated construction for different land uses through zoning maps. However, the alleged violations are routinely permitted.

“In residential zones, new structures are being allowed over front setbacks and along footpaths on both sides of roads to run commercial activities, in clear violation of the rules. GMC has issued trade licences and electrical connections to such unauthorised constructions, encouraging unplanned growth across the city,” he added.

He said Guwahati was allowed to expand without long-term vision or strict enforcement after the capital shifted from Shillong to Dispur in 1972–73. The 1965 GMC construction bylaws remained in force until 1998, when GMDA introduced its first construction bylaws.

“These 1998 bylaws were revised in 2006 in line with the National Building Code 2005. On the very first page, the GMDA CEO admitted there were loopholes in the 1998 bylaws, which is why revisions were made in 2006 and continued until 2026,” Khataniar added.

“As a result of negligence by authorities, and poor foresight by experts and politicians, residents suffer from inadequate drainage and massive waterlogging even after brief spells of rain,” he said.
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