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The Madhya Pradesh High Court has ordered a stop to all illegal commercial activities in Bhopal's Arera Colony (E-1 to E-5), a residential zone. Petitioners highlighted lease and planning violations caused by rising commercial setups like shops and restaurants. Notices have been sent to concerned government departments, and they have been instructed to respond within four weeks. The court also ordered that no new non-domestic electricity connections be issued, and no further construction take place until the matter is decided.
The Madhya Pradesh High Court has directed a complete halt to unauthorised commercial constructions in sectors E-1 to E-5 of Arera Colony in Bhopal - an area that is legally designated for residential use. This interim relief came after a petition was filed by Purnendu Shukla and environmentalist Subhash C. Pandey, who raised concerns about increasing commercial misuse in the colony. They alleged that multiple shops, offices, restaurants, bars, and showrooms had come up in violation of lease conditions and the Bhopal Development Plan. Advertisement
They also pointed out that these violations were not just technical but directly affecting the quality of life of residents by leading to overcrowding, traffic congestion, blocked drainage systems, and increased noise. The court acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations and issued notices to the state government, Bhopal Municipal Corporation, Bhopal Development Authority, the Town and Country Planning department, and the Madhya Kshetra Vidyut Vitaran Company. All respondents have been asked to submit their replies within four weeks.
The petition further urged the court to direct the authorities not to issue or renew any non-domestic electricity connections in the area and also cancel those already given to such commercial units. The petitioners demanded that a high-level committee headed by a retired High Court judge be formed to probe misuse of land use policies, illegal constructions, and violations of lease terms.
Meanwhile, residents have taken several steps to safeguard their locality. Some local groups have blocked internal roads by locking gates to restrict access from outsiders and stop increasing commercial activity. However, this move has also caused inconvenience for commuters and led to complaints within the neighbourhood.
In response to these concerns, the High Court has ordered that no new commercial activity or structure be permitted until further orders. This directive aims to maintain the residential character of the locality and prevent further encroachments. The matter is now listed for further hearing after the concerned authorities file their responses.
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