Govt to extend deadline for regularisation of unauthorised buildings

Pioneer News Service
Ranchi

The deadline for applying to legalize houses built without approved maps under the Jharkhand Regularisation of Unauthorisedly Constructed Building Rules in Jharkhand expires on June 26. However, due to the very low number of applications and confusion surrounding the rules, the Urban Development Department is preparing to extend this period by six months. A proposal has been submitted to the department to extend the deadline. If approved, building owners may have the opportunity to apply until December 2026. A final decision is expected in the next two days.

To qualify for regularization under the Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC), property must meet the conditions such as the construction must have been completed before December 31, 2024. Maximum plot area must be under 300 sq. meters. The building height should be up to G+2 (maximum 10 meters height) and most importantly the construction must not encroach on public land, roads, or protected water bodies.

Experts opine that the new rules have several flaws such as G+2 buildings built on land measuring up to 3228 square feet (approximately 7.41 decimals) have been granted permission to obtain map approval. Applications are being submitted online through the Building Plan Approval Management System. However, it is mandatory to enter the front, side, and rear setbacks of the building on the portal. Most buildings are located along roads with less than the standard width.

The rules only allow G+2 buildings built on a maximum of 7.41 decimals of land. While tribal families in many areas, including Ranchi, have large land holdings, their houses are typically two-story. Applications are not being accepted because the land area exceeds the prescribed limit. This has left a large number of tribal families out of the regularization process.

A resident of Upper Bazar area requesting anonymity said, “Efforts to regularize buildings without maps have been underway for 15 years. However, each time, the rules become so complex that ordinary building owners are unable to reap the benefits they expect. The previous draft clearly provided for the regularization of small buildings built on Raiyat land. However, the current rules, including requirements such as front, side, and rear setbacks and road widths as per the master plan, are creating many practical problems. This is why people are hesitant to apply.”

For many middle-class and lower-income families, the move is expected to reduce long-standing uncertainty over penalties demolition notices and property transactions linked to irregular constructions.