Gopal Shetty Calls for ‘OC for All’ Policy to End Civic Hardships in Mumbai

Mumbai | Undercover Editor News Channel, February 20, 2026

Former BJP Member of Parliament Gopal Shetty has urged the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to grant Occupation Certificates (OCs) to all residential and commercial buildings across Mumbai, citing widespread civic and legal hardships faced by residents due to long-pending approvals.

In a representation to the BMC Commissioner, Shetty highlighted that thousands of buildings in Mumbai continue to function without valid OCs, leaving occupants burdened with higher water charges, difficulty in securing home and business loans, and ongoing legal uncertainty over property ownership and redevelopment rights.

While the government has introduced regularisation schemes to issue OCs for certain categories of buildings, Shetty pointed out that these initiatives remain limited in scope and exclude a large number of structures. He strongly advocated for an inclusive “OC for All” policy that removes floor-area restrictions and applies uniformly to both residential and commercial properties.

“Residents are being punished for procedural delays beyond their control,” Shetty said, stressing that the absence of occupation certificates directly affects access to basic services such as water and electricity connections, property tax regularisation, and redevelopment approvals.

The former MP also proposed revising the existing datum line used for eligibility under OC regularisation schemes. Currently fixed at 1962, Shetty suggested updating it to at least the year 2000 to bring more old and occupied buildings under the legal framework and provide long-overdue relief to residents.

A delegation of Bharatiya Janata Party leaders, including BJP BMC group leaders and district-level office bearers, accompanied Shetty during the meeting with civic officials, pressing for urgent administrative action on the matter.

The demand comes amid growing frustration among Mumbai residents who argue that lack of occupation certificates has turned into a systemic issue, impacting daily life and long-term urban planning. Civic authorities are yet to issue an official response to the proposal