Jamshedpur: Following strict directions from the Jharkhand High Court, demolition of illegal constructions and building plan deviations in Jamshedpur began on Monday. Two teams of the Jamshedpur Notified Area Committee (JNAC) launched the operation at around 11:00 AM amid heavy police deployment to prevent any law-and-order situation.
One JNAC team carried out demolition action in Bistupur, while the second team focused on a five-storey building located next to the Ramada Hotel in the Sakchi–Bistupur locality. According to officials, the building had been approved for construction up to G+3 (ground plus three floors), but two additional floors were constructed illegally. The demolition of the extra floors has already commenced.
JNAC Deputy Commissioner Krishna Kumar was present at the site to supervise the operation. A substantial police force was deployed to manage any possible resistance during the demolition process.
Action on 24 Buildings Across Sakchi
In addition to the Sakchi–Bistupur site, demolition and corrective action will be carried out on 24 identified buildings across Sakchi, including Baradwari and adjoining areas. Rectification work has already begun on one building in Baradwari, where deviations from the sanctioned plan were detected.
Deputy Commissioner Krishna Kumar stated that the action is being taken in compliance with High Court orders. He confirmed that deviations were found in all 24 buildings, ranging from unauthorized additional floors to construction not conforming to approved layouts. In several cases, basements approved for parking were illegally converted into commercial spaces with shops, posing safety and traffic concerns.
High Court Writ Led to Action
The demolition drive stems from a writ petition filed in the Jharkhand High Court, following which the court ordered the removal of all building plan deviations. Based on this directive, JNAC prepared a list of 24 violating buildings.
Officials stated that due process was followed before initiating action. Notices were issued to all building owners, with three notices served to each owner before demolition.
Claim of Regularization Rejected
The owner of the five-storey building near the Ramada Hotel claimed that he had deposited money to regularize the deviations. However, officials clarified that mere payment does not amount to regularization.
JNAC officials explained that although the Urban Development Department had earlier issued an order allowing regularization under specific conditions, most of the buildings failed to meet those criteria. As per the rules, building owners were required to submit an application, after which engineers would inspect the site to determine eligibility for regularization. Only upon approval was the payment to be deposited.
“In many cases, money was deposited without any application or inspection. Since JNAC did not demand the money, such deposits have no legal validity,” officials said.
The administration has reiterated that all illegal deviations identified by the High Court will be removed without exception, signalling a zero-tolerance approach towards unauthorized construction in the city.
