The Jaipur Development Authority (JDA) took strict action on Tuesday, sealing an under-construction swimming pool on the rooftop of a building in Sanganer. The move came after officials found the construction lacked necessary approvals and deviated significantly from the sanctioned building plan.
Illegal Commercial Construction on Residential Roof
The building in question is a mixed-use structure with both residential and commercial spaces. On its roof, one of the owners was building a swimming pool complex intended for commercial use. The complex included a pool, a washroom, and a change room.
"We have sealed the entire roof," stated Shilpa Choudhary, the chief controller of JDA's enforcement wing. She confirmed that the construction was being carried out without proper permission.
Safety Risks and Previous Warnings Ignored
JDA engineers raised serious safety concerns about the unauthorised structure. An engineer explained that any rooftop construction without a structural engineer's consent can jeopardise the entire building's stability. This risk is particularly acute in Jaipur, which a recent Bureau of Indian Standards report has classified as more prone to earthquakes than before.
The enforcement action also involved demolishing illegal iron angles and tin sheds installed in common areas on the ground floor. These structures were meant to facilitate parking for users of the planned pool.
Legal Process Followed Before Sealing
Officials detailed the legal steps taken prior to the sealing. The JDA had first issued a notice under Section 32 of the JDA Act, 1982, directing the builder to remove the illegal construction. When the directions were not followed, the authority sought and obtained approval from the competent authority.
Subsequently, a notice under Section 34(a) was issued, leading to the final demolition of the illegal structures and the sealing of the rooftop. This process underscores the JDA's procedural approach to tackling building violations.
Simultaneous Anti-Encroachment Drive in the City
In a separate enforcement drive on the same day, JDA teams cleared encroachments along a nearly 2-kilometre stretch. The cleared areas included the route from Hirapura Police Chowki to Hirapura School and from the Prince Road intersection to the 200 Feet Bypass Crossing on Ajmer Road.
An official reported that encroachments at approximately 80 locations on both sides of the road were removed during this drive, highlighting the authority's broader crackdown on illegal occupation of public space.
The twin actions signal the JDA's intensified focus on enforcing urban planning norms and ensuring public safety in Jaipur, especially against illegal modifications that compromise structural integrity.
