Varanasi: Fresh strategies and efforts by the Varanasi Development Authority (VDA) to mobilise builders to join hands with it to develop planned colonies started yielding positive results, as over 474 layouts were produced and sanctioned. However, builders who developed group housing sites did not take completion certificates in 73 projects, while flats in many of them were allotted and occupied.Completion certificates for group housing projects are issued by a competent authority, like VDA, only on the basis of full compliance with prescribed rules, building by-laws, and other statutory standards. This process is completed after proper verification of building construction quality, safety standards, and completion of work in accordance with the approved map before starting to give possession to the buyers of flats and houses.However, when the VDA started reviewing its records of group housing projects, it was found that 73 had not obtained completion certificates to date despite being completed before 2020 and given possession of flats to the buyers, said VDA vice-chairman Purna Bora, mentioning the names of projects like Nand Virat Paradise, Vrindavan Residency, Babylon Heights, Jeet Rivera, Bhanu Pratap Tower, CIPL Enclave, etc.“It is a matter of serious concern, as in the absence of a project completion certificate, it cannot be known whether the construction work was completed according to approved standards. In its absence, there remains apprehension of essential facilities like parking, parks, community facilities, fire safety systems, lift safety standards, electricity and drainage being incomplete as per standards,” said Bora, adding that this can affect the safety and convenience of residents. Also, the situation of legal uncertainty creates concern and confusion among residents.Clarifying that a completion certificate is not just a formality but an extremely important document for the structural safety of the building, quality control and protection of public interest, Bora said that this certificate ensures that the project was completed in accordance with the approved layout, building map and applicable rules. Bora said that the builders and developers of these group housing projects should respond to the notices issued to them in the past and complete the process of obtaining completion certificates to avoid adverse action.VDA has approved 474 layouts and maps from Oct 2025 to Jan end. Bora said that these outcomes of the recent exercise are clear that builders and developers are also interested in cooperating in the planned expansion of the city, while awareness among buyers is also increasing towards legal processes.Among these 474 cases of layouts and maps, 247 were for compounding of maps, 31 were private colony layout maps, while 196 were maps of new buildings for which applications were filed online, said Bora, adding that the process of layout and map approval was made completely transparent, simple and time-bound, so that the general public does not face any unnecessary inconvenience.
