Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, Dec 13: The Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA), which has not been issuing building plan approvals for the past three years of residential structures around Nandankanan zoo, has sought the government’s permission to allow it to issue plan approvals.
The court had lifted the stay September 2011, but the government is yet to permit BDA to start issuing building plan approvals. As such, hundreds of files are pending with BDA.
The state forest and environment department had restricted BDA, following the High Court’s stay on the construction activities in the vicinity of Nandankanan zoo and sanctuary four years ago. BDA is finding it difficult to issue building plan approvals as the Orissa Public Service Delivery Act, 2012, which is in force mandates that government departments should deliver services within stipulated deadline.
The building regulator has expressed helplessness in issuing building plans to residents living in the outskirts.
The court had earlier urged BDA to stop using plan approvals because of the environmental concerns in the vicinity of city zoo and sanctuary.
“BDA has received a large number of applications for building plan approvals and because of delay in getting permission, it is unable to dispose of files. BDA is repeatedly requesting the forest and environment department to look into the matter but in vain as it has literally left the people in lurch,” a senior town planning official said.
