Only 10 of 8,084 Notified Establishments Sealed as Bhopal Awaits Supreme Court Hearing

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a case concerning commercial establishments operating in residential areas in Bhopal on Tuesday at 2 pm. The hearing, originally set for September 15, was deferred due to judicial leave.

The Bhopal Municipal Corporation identified around 62,500 commercial establishments but issued notices to only 8,084—approximately 13% of the total. Of these, action was taken against around 190 establishments through official procedures, with only 10 officially sealed. The BMC conducted the enforcement drive for three days before halting it following trader protests.

Residents have raised concerns over the lack of follow-up action. Despite having over 42 days since the Supreme Court's August 10 written order, the BMC did not proceed against the remaining establishments or verify whether those closed had remained shut. According to residents, several establishments reopened after the drive ended, questioning the effectiveness of the corporation's compliance with court directions.