The Odisha Real Estate Regulatory Authority (ORERA) has taken a significant step towards enhancing transparency and protecting homebuyers by initiating the process to induct a dedicated civil engineer. This expert will be tasked with conducting extensive, on-ground verification of various real estate projects across the state.
Role and Responsibilities of the ORERA Engineer
According to the official notice for engagement, the selected civil engineer is expected to have substantial experience, preferably at the rank of an executive engineer in the roads and buildings division of the works department. Experience from other related government or registered private agencies will also be considered.
The empanelled engineer will undertake field inspections as required by the authority in major urban centers including Bhubaneswar, Berhampur, Balasore, Sambalpur, Rourkela, and other notified areas. This move aims to establish a crucial link between developers, regulators, and homebuyers.
The official's core duties will involve ensuring project compliance by rigorously verifying construction quality, safety standards, and strict adherence to approved building plans. The role encompasses a wide range of technical aspects, from assessing structural integrity and conducting material testing to maintaining meticulous documentation necessary for RERA registration.
Driving Accountability and Transparency in Real Estate
A senior ORERA official confirmed that the authority plans to utilize the expertise of retired civil engineers for this role. "The notice has specified the age, qualification and experience of the engineer who will be inducted into our office. The selection process is in its final stage," the official stated.
Real estate experts have welcomed this proactive measure. Bimalendu Pradhan, a real estate expert, emphasized that the authority must check crucial documents like plan approval and its adherence while issuing the registration certificate. He highlighted past issues, noting, "It was witnessed that some projects were registered where an approach road belonged to the railways. The empanelled civil engineer might look after these aspects and ensure accountability."
A Pattern of Strengthening Regulatory Oversight
This recruitment follows a similar recent appointment where ORERA brought on board a land expert with extensive experience as a tehsildar. That expert's role is to verify various plotting schemes registered with the authority.
Sources indicate that these appointments of domain experts are a direct response to recent issues brought to ORERA's notice. One such case involved transactions occurring in a group housing scheme at Janla despite the project lacking the necessary certificates. The induction of technical experts is seen as a vital step to prevent such lapses and bolster consumer confidence in the regulated real estate market of Odisha.
