Illegal constructions within Sagarika Regency is being demolished; Sky View Restaurant kept shut

Labourers are spotted demolishing bits and pieces of Sagarika Regency, a commercial complex in Silchar’s Shillongpatty area. It houses apparel retailer Westside, has a hotel for lodging, and a roof top restaurant.

Last year, a PIL was filed by Subrata Mazumdar and eight others against the owner of the complex Biswajit Roy, State of Assam, DC Cachar, Silchar Municipality Board, and others. It alleged that the commercial complex violated several laws and that is causing problems to the general public.

In response to the PIL, the Gauhati High Court asked the Deputy Commissioner of Cachar and Silchar Municipality Board to conduct an inspection and furnish an affidavit before the court with a detailed report of the inspection.

The inspection was carried and the bench of chief justice Ajai Lamba and Justice Manish Choudhury on September 16, 2020, said “The detailed report of the Assistant Engineer dated 24.03.2020 shows that – The permitted space by the Silchar Municipal Board to the respondents on the front set back (East) of the building was 8 meters. However, the respondent (Sagarika Regency) left about 7.03 meters. The space permitted for Cantilever projection was up to 1.50 meter, however, the respondent (Sagarika Regency) left about 2 meters of space. The space permitted for the rear set back (west) of the building was 11.21 meters but the respondent (Sagarika Regency) left only 2.67 meters of space and raised the construction on 9.71 meters of space.”

The report, as stated in the Court’s order adds. “The space permitted for Cantilever projection of rear set back was 1.5 meter, but only 1.22 meter was left out. Space permitted for side setback (North) was 3.10 meter, however, only 1.20 meter was left out.”

It is not only the dimensions, but the report submitted after inspection finds more anomalies. “The building permission was meant for only commercial (General/Retail) purpose. However, it was used for commercial/Hotel/ Restaurant purposes by the private respondent (Sagarika Regency). The permitted number of floors by the Board was only B+G+IV, however, the constructed number of floors was B+G+V (one extra i.e. 5th R.C.C. floor) by violating the building permit. Under the Municipal Laws, Construction can cover 40% of the total land area, however, 71.38% of the land area has been covered by the construction in violation of relevant laws.”

Executive Engineer, Silchar Municipality Board, Sumit Sattavan confirmed that the illegal constructions within the commercial complex are being demolished. “We have issued an order from the municipality board which demarcates the illegal construction,” stated Sattavan.

He informed that in accordance with that order, demolition work is being carried out by the owner himself using his own resources. The roof-top restaurant, which was a major fine dining attraction for the people of Silchar, has been kept shut.