KMC increases oversight with 6 new engineers against illegal construction in Kolkata

The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has approved the recruitment of six additional executive engineers to strengthen its oversight of construction activities across the city. This move comes after the Calcutta High Court's recent directive to demolish eight illegal buildings in Kolkata. With the recruitment of these new engineers, KMC's total number of executive engineers will increase from 10 to 16. Previously, one engineer was responsible for multiple boroughs, which has proven insufficient to effectively monitor and regulate the rapid increase in construction activity. Each new engineer will be assigned to oversee specific boroughs, improving localized monitoring and enforcement of building regulations.

KMC has faced significant challenges in controlling illegal construction in the city, particularly due to the rise in unauthorized high-rise buildings. A key issue is the filling of wetlands and landfills with rubble to create space for new structures, often done under the cover of night. The city's growing housing demand has driven many developers to construct buildings in violation of the approved building plans, leading to widespread complaints from residents. The increased number of engineers is intended to address these concerns by providing more dedicated resources to monitor and halt illegal construction in each borough.

The newly appointed engineers will be tasked with monitoring construction projects, ensuring compliance with building codes, and taking action against violations. They will focus on areas where illegal construction is most prevalent, including landfills, wetlands, and other unapproved sites. By assigning one engineer to each borough, the KMC aims to provide closer supervision of construction activities, which has been difficult with the previous arrangement where one engineer was responsible for multiple boroughs. Each borough has approximately 12 to 13 wards, and with dedicated engineers, the KMC anticipates better enforcement of building regulations and faster response to illegal activities.

This expansion of KMC’s engineering team is part of a broader strategy to address the increasing number of illegal constructions in Kolkata, where several areas have seen unauthorized high-rises being built on filled land. Many of these constructions have been linked to the illegal dumping of materials like rubble, which is used to fill ponds and wetlands to make space for new buildings. These practices have contributed to environmental concerns and raised alarms about the impact on the city's infrastructure and urban planning.

In addition to overseeing construction projects, the newly recruited engineers will also assist with the functions of the Municipal Building Committee, Heritage Committee, and Mayor-in-Council meetings. They will be involved in reviewing building plans, conducting inspections, and ensuring that all construction projects comply with KMC’s approved guidelines. The engineers will also work closely with other departments in KMC to ensure that construction in Kolkata adheres to safety standards and urban development regulations. With the state government’s approval already in place, the new engineers are expected to begin their duties soon, providing much-needed support to the KMC in curbing illegal construction.