Shimla, 29 January 2025: With over 10,000 unauthorized buildings in Shimla remaining illegal due to violations of construction norms, the Shimla Municipal Corporation (SMC) has urged the state government to approve a one-time settlement to regularize them.
In a resolution, the SMC called for a decision on these structures, stating that their legal status should be resolved permanently.
While nearly 25,000 such buildings exist across Himachal Pradesh, the highest concentration is within Shimla, particularly in areas merged into the MC from suburban zones previously outside the planning limits.
“The number of such structures within Shimla MC is around 10,000. We are seeking a one-time settlement from the state government to legalize their status,” a councillor mentioned, adding that several MC councillors have persistently raised the issue for nearly two decades.
Court Orders Block Retention Policy
Past court rulings prohibiting a retention policy have remained the biggest hurdle in settling these cases.
Over the years, the state government has introduced seven retention policies to regularize unauthorized buildings, which critics argue have emboldened further illegal construction under the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Act, 1977.
Many builders and homeowners have continued constructing structures in violation of norms, anticipating another round of legal relief.
The SMC has been pushing for a final resolution, particularly since unauthorized buildings remain ineligible for essential amenities such as water and electricity connections.
Its appeal follows the Supreme Court’s approval of the Shimla Development Plan, which has raised hopes for some form of relief for these structures statewide.
Despite multiple efforts by successive governments to provide legal cover for these buildings, judicial restrictions on retention policies have left no clear solution.
Courts, including the Supreme Court, National Green Tribunal, and Himachal High Court, have repeatedly criticized the Town and Country Planning Department, municipal bodies, and regulatory authorities for failing to curb unauthorized construction and unchecked urban expansion.
