The recent fire tragedy at a Laxmi Sagar apartment in Bhubaneswar, which claimed three lives including a minor, has once again highlighted the grave risks posed by residential and commercial buildings occupied without mandatory occupancy certificates (OC) in the city. Preliminary verification by civic officials confirmed that the affected apartment did not have an OC. According to building rules, electricity connections should not be provided to structures without an OC. However, in reality, a large number of such buildings across Bhubaneswar continue to enjoy power supply without a valid OC.
Data Reveals Widespread Non-Compliance
According to official data, only 178 residential and commercial projects in the city were granted an OC as of December 2025. The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) announced plans in December last year to conduct a comprehensive survey to identify buildings without OC and subsequently write to the electricity department for power disconnection. However, four months have passed since the announcement, and neither the survey nor the proposed enforcement action has been implemented so far.
“The survey was planned to create a database of buildings without OC so that corrective measures could be taken. We will revisit the plan,” said Mayor Sulochana Das.
Fire Safety Drives Questioned
In November last year, BMC also conducted a month-long fire safety awareness drive across apartment complexes in the city, focusing on safe electrical usage, evacuation measures, and installation of fire-fighting equipment. However, the effectiveness of these exercises has come under question in the wake of the Laxmi Sagar incident.
“Awareness alone is not enough. Compliance and enforcement are key. Buildings without OC should not be allowed to function as habitable spaces. Most fires originate from faulty wiring, illegal connections, or overloaded systems in unauthorised buildings,” said real estate expert Bimalendu Pradhan.
BDA’s Own Projects Lack Valid OCs
Adding to the concerns is a startling disclosure by the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA). The BDA, which issued plan approvals and OCs till 2015 before the system changed, revealed that among 65 housing and commercial projects developed by it in the city, none currently has a valid occupancy certificate or fire safety clearance.
“The regulatory framework was different earlier, but periodic renewals of fire safety certificates are mandatory even for older projects. Many of these developments need urgent regularisation and safety upgrades. We are working on it, and things will be resolved soon,” a senior BDA official said.
Experts Call for Urgent Action
Urban planners and safety experts have warned that the unchecked occupation of buildings without OC not only puts residents at risk but also strains emergency response systems. “Without OC, there is no assurance that the building conforms to approved plans, fire norms, or basic safety standards,” Pradhan added. The situation underscores the need for stricter enforcement and immediate corrective measures to prevent future tragedies.
