AMC losing revenue because of construction of unauthorized tin sheds over roofs of sanctioned buildings

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, September 26, 2025

The Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC), specially its building plan sanction wing, has always been in the centre of controversies because of well founded allegations of rampant corruption. This reality however does not make its way into public domain as many people are keen to have their building plans cleared by fair means or foul and even thereafter the AMC authority can create lot of troubles. But recently a startling fact has come to light, proving that the AMC authority has been losing revenue because of construction of tin-sheds over five-storeyed buildings beyond the sanctioned building plan.

Explaining the issue sources in the AMC said that as per building construction rules any one can build a maximum of five storeys including the ground floor provided he keeps vacant or unoccupied a space of 4 feet around the building. However for higher structures the building plan has to be sanctioned by the Tripura Urban Development Authority (TUDA) and the applicant has to keep a space 10 feet around the building vacant for entry of fire brigade vehicles, water supply vehicles etc. But there is hardly any application for building structures beyond the five storeys because there is hardly any buyer for such higher floors beyond the fifth floor. It is only the state government that build multi-storeyed structure beyond fifth floor for official use.

“What happens is that those who get plans for construction of five storeys including the ground floor sanctioned ultimately builds a tin-shed structure over the fifth floor for protection against heat and rain and use it for different purposes but the AMC does not get any license fee or tax; thus the AMC is actually losing revenue for this omission” sources in AMC said. They added that the issue is likely to be taken up soon for a decision to augment revenue by imposing tax on the tin shed structures over the fifth floor.

more news...