Daman’s Cheap Regularisation Plan Sparks Outrage, Safety Fears

Daman | Union Territory —- In a move that has triggered sharp criticism from developers and raised concerns about public safety, the Daman administration has announced a one-time relief scheme to legalise unauthorized constructions built until 2022 — at an impact fee of just Rs 60 per square metre. The decision, meant to clear a decade-long urban planning mess, has instead opened a fresh debate: Is Daman rewarding illegal construction?

More than 50 buildings that have remained unused and abandoned for nearly 12 years are now in line for possible legal status. But before they can be occupied, authorities say structural stability checks will be mandatory — a step experts insist cannot be compromised.

Decade-Old Illegal Towers Back in Spotlight

Daman’s development has long been plagued by rampant violations of building rules. In 2017, the Daman Municipality declared 44 high-rise buildings illegal, throwing property buyers, banks, and developers into confusion. With investments stuck and homes unoccupied, the administration began exploring ways to regularise such structures.

In February this year, a gazette notification formally introduced a six-month window for applying for regularisation. Officials clarified that only constructions completed before 2022 would qualify, and that approval would come only after verification.

However, the relief has limits. Constructions on government land, coastal regulation zone areas, water bodies, public roads, agricultural land, or those violating Floor Space Index norms will not be legalised. Risk-prone buildings will also be excluded.

A senior official said, “This is a one-time relief measure to bring order to long-pending construction disputes. Safety checks will be strict before granting legality.”

Builders Cry Foul Over ‘Rewarding Violators’

The biggest controversy lies in the impact fee — set at just Rs 60 per sq.m. Developers who followed legal procedures say the move undermines honest builders.

A local builder association member said, “This sends the wrong message. Those who violated rules are getting an easy escape, while law-abiding builders paid far higher charges. A penalty and premium should have been imposed.”

Industry voices warn that the decision could encourage future violations if strict enforcement is not ensured. “If illegal construction becomes cheaper to regularise than building legally, the system loses credibility,” another developer said.

Safety Checks Become Critical After 12 Years

Many of the buildings awaiting legalisation have remained unused for over a decade, raising serious structural safety concerns. Engineers warn that exposure to weather without maintenance can weaken structures.

“Before any occupancy, a detailed structural stability report is essential,” said a civil engineer familiar with the issue. “Public safety cannot be compromised for administrative convenience.”

RERA Compliance Questions Surface

Another major concern is whether these buildings comply with the Real Estate Regulation and Development Act (RERA). Before the law came into force, several projects in Daman were built without completion or occupancy certificates.

Officials now say verifying whether such projects are registered under RERA will be necessary to protect buyers.

Confusion Over Past Notices

The regularisation scheme has also created legal uncertainty. Builders are questioning whether past demolition or violation notices issued by the municipality will be withdrawn.

“There must be clarity through an ordinance or resolution,” a developer said. “Otherwise, the legal status of these buildings will remain uncertain.”