Jharkhand Housing Board To Cancel 30+ Residential Allotments for Commercial Use in Ranchi

Ranchi: The Jharkhand State Housing Board (JSHB) has taken steps to cancel over 30 residential allotments in Harmu and Bariatu housing colonies for commercial use.The move comes after repeated notices to the errant allottees failed to bring satisfactory response.A JSHB official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said over 30 allotments from Harmu and Bariatu housing colonies are in the final stage of cancellation after three rounds of notices were issued to property owners found running commercial establishments such as clinics, pharmacies, coaching centres and shops.JSHB (Ranchi division) officials said that around 400 commercial units being run from residential plots have been identified across Harmu, Bariatu and Argora housing colonies.Harmu has over 1,000 properties, including flats, plots and single-storey units, while Bariatu has around 500 units.In Harmu, residences have been converted into clinics, play schools, diagnostic centres, and market complexes near Sahjanand Chowk and the road towards Argora.In Bariatu area, clinics, pharmacies, hostels, and eateries have proliferated due to its emergence as a medical hub around the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (Rims) and other hospitals.JSHB secretary Binay Lakra said, “We will review the responses submitted by the errant owners of residential units against the notices. Then, the board will take a final call. Action plan will be carried out accordingly.”Vijay Kumar, who runs a grocery shop from Harmu housing colony, said, “We have been operating here for years and paying all charges. If authorities shut our shops without any rehabilitation plan, many families will suffer. The govt should first provide us with an alternative.”