Bhubaneswar: The housing and urban development department has been conducting marathon hearings of appeals related to building plan violations and related disputes under Odisha Development Authorities (ODA) Act 1982, as the state govt steps up enforcement following Supreme Court’s intervention on illegal structures.Data accessed by TOI from records of the appellate authority show that 387 appeals were listed for hearing over the past 18 months, of which only 100 were disposed of, while 287 cases remain pending. The pendency includes several long-standing cases, some dating back to 2002 and 2004.The records reveal that while the department has accelerated hearings to clear old appeals, a huge backlog persists. Appeals filed in 2013 accounted for the highest number of cases heard during the period at 31, followed by 25 from 2015 and 24 from 2023. Cases filed in recent years, including 2025 and 2026, have also been taken up for hearing. “We have intensified the hearing process to address both legacy and recent cases involving building plan violations, demolition proceedings and other planning disputes. The focus is on ensuring compliance with planning regulations while following due process,” said a senior urban development department official.Officials said many of the appeals involve actions initiated by agencies such as Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA), Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) and Cuttack Development Authority (CDA) against property owners accused of violating sanctioned building plans or development norms.An official associated with the appellate proceedings told TOI that the disposal rate has improved in recent months. “A large number of appeals are decades old and require examination of records, site reports and submissions from multiple parties. While there is pressure to expedite hearings, every case has to be decided on its merits,” he added.The records, however, also point to delays in adjudication. Several ongoing cases show lengthy gaps between the last hearing date and the next scheduled hearing, while some entries do not mention any future hearing date. Questions have also been raised regarding the status of cases that have not been listed for hearing during the past 18 months.Experts said speedy disposal of appeals is crucial for effective enforcement. “Unless appeal mechanisms function efficiently, action against unauthorised constructions often gets delayed for years. Clearing the backlog is essential to uphold urban planning norms and deter future violations,” real estate expert Bimalendu Pradhan said.The officials maintained that efforts are underway to reduce pendency and improve transparency in the hearing process. “The objective is to bring greater accountability in urban development regulation and ensure timely resolution of cases. Hearings are being scheduled regularly to address the backlog,” they added.
