The Town Planning wing of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), often the source and destination of complaints at the ‘Prajavani’ grievance redressal programme, appears to overlook violations related to occupancy certificates, despite widespread non-compliance across the city.
There are several instances of large commercial buildings, including malls and multiplexes, operating without necessary clearances, such as the mandatory Occupancy Certificate (OC).
An OC is issued by GHMC to confirm that construction has been completed as per approved building norms and without deviations.
According to building norms, an OC is mandatory for any completed structure built on a plot of 200 square metres or more, or with a height of seven metres or more (typically ground plus one floor). It is a crucial requirement tied to the granting of building permissions by any civic authority.
In order to enforce the OC, the GHMC mandates the builder to mortgage 10% of the built-up area with the corporation, by way of a notarised document. The mortgage is released only after issue of OC, once Town Planning officers verify compliance with the set backs and other norms such a No-Objection Certificate from the Fire Services. Unless the OC is issued, the property cannot be occupied.
