Illegal Buildings Continue to Rise in Nellore Despite NMC Crackdown
Illegal constructions and road encroachments continue across Nellore despite repeated civic enforcement drives, raising concerns over urban planning and compliance.
Illegal construction of buildings and encroachment of roads is continuing to proliferate across Nellore city despite repeated enforcement drives and warnings by the Nellore Municipal Corporation. This is raising concerns over the effectiveness of the NMC’s Town Planning wing.
Over the past several months, NMC commissioner Y.O. Nandan has repeatedly directed officials to issue notices and file charge sheets against buildings deviating from the sanctioned plans.
During inspections, including a recent visit to Netaji Nagar, he ordered officials to verify building measurements against approved plans, curb unauthorised constructions at the initial stage, prevent dumping of construction materials on roads, and remove encroachments affecting public spaces.
However, residents charge that little has changed on the ground. Buildings without mandatory parking cellars, encroachments of road margins, and structures exceeding sanctioned heights continue to come up in several parts of the city.
Property owners are alleging that unofficial payments running into thousands of rupees have become a norm for routine approvals. The demand to secure permission for large commercial buildings is ₹1 lakh to ₹2 lakh, though these allegations remain unverified.
Similar complaints have surfaced in Kavali. Residents point to a building encroaching the road on the Railway Station Road while another commercial building is nearing completion without mandatory parking provisions.
In Gudur, locals allege that buildings sanctioned for G+3 floors are being extended beyond approved limits.
Urban planning experts warn that unchecked violations would aggravate traffic congestion, obstruct stormwater drains, and increase flooding during heavy rains.
Responding to the criticism, Nellore City Planning officer Ch. Raghunath said the department has received 4,280 applications from owners under the building regularisation scheme after they served notices for violating approved plans and initiated action. He said inspections are being intensified and violations would be dealt with strictly under municipal laws.
Commissioner Nandan has asked citizens to report any instances of bribery or harassment by corporation officials, assuring that disciplinary action would be taken after verification of the charges.
