The Supreme Court has given a very important and strict decision regarding Indian urban life and commercial use of property, after which the problems of people running shops, coaching centers, clinics or offices from home in residential areas can increase significantly. The Supreme Court of the country has given clear and strict instructions to all the municipal corporations across the country to immediately stop illegal commercial activities in residential areas and ensure strict compliance with the rules. After this historic decision, there is panic among lakhs of shopkeepers, small businessmen and property owners in urban areas, because the bulldozing and sealing campaign of the administration against illegal commercial activities is likely to be intensified in the coming days. Supreme Court keeps a strict eye on commercial activities in residential areas. In the rapidly increasing era of urbanization, it has become common that people are running shops, warehouses, small offices, beauty parlors or coaching institutes on the ground floor of their residential houses. This not only affects the peace and infrastructure of local residential areas but also creates huge problems of water, electricity and parking. Taking cognizance of this serious problem, the Supreme Court has accepted that commercial use of residential properties by ignoring the rules of the master plan is completely illegal. The court has made it clear in its direction that it is the primary responsibility of the municipal bodies to ensure strict compliance with the master plan in their respective areas and to take strict legal action without any laxity against those who violate the rules. Municipal bodies across the country have received strict instructions and administrative accountability. After these new instructions issued by the Supreme Court, the accountability of municipal corporations and local bodies across the country has increased a lot. The court has clearly stated that if illegal commercial activities are found within the residential areas in any city, the local authorities and employees of the municipal bodies will be held directly responsible for it. Since then, the municipal corporations of all the big and small cities of the country have intensified the process of conducting survey and preparing the list of illegally running offices and shops. Strict orders have been given to the officials to take action to seal the properties violating the rules and levy heavy fines without any political pressure or discrimination. This strict order of the Supreme Court has given a big blow to the millions of middle class families and small entrepreneurs who were running small shops or offices from their homes to earn their livelihood. Many people argue that due to rising inflation and being unable to afford the high cost of commercial rents, they are forced to work from their homes. However, legal experts believe that after the order of the Supreme Court, no kind of arbitrariness will be allowed now. Those who have not diverted their residential houses for commercial use (Commercial Land Use Conversion) or where the Municipal Corporation does not have permission, will have to either close their business or shift to the authorized commercial zone as per the prescribed rules. Outline of the future of urban planning and infrastructure: This entire matter is not limited to just a court order or sealing, but it has become a huge need for the future urban planning and development of the country. Due to shops and offices opening in residential areas in an unplanned manner, the traffic system of cities completely collapses, due to which common citizens have to face a lot of problems in everyday life. With this historic intervention of the Supreme Court, it is expected that in the coming times our cities will be more organized, safe and developed as per the master plan. However, along with this, the challenge will also be before the administration to take practical steps to provide alternative and affordable space to small traders, so that a good balance can be established between development and livelihood.
