Cuttack, Aug. 13: The civic body has formulated a new policy to regulate the functioning of all kalyan mandaps (banquet halls) in the city.

For formulating the policy, the Cuttack Municipal Corporation had conducted a survey of the existing banquet halls. Based on the survey outcomes, various parameters have been put up for examining the existing as well as the upcoming kalyan mandaps for issuing licence.

The new guideline has made earmarking 40 per cent of the built-up area for parking “a statutory requirement” for the new kalyan mandaps.

“But, in case of the old kalyan mandaps that have been functioning at least for five years, they will be allowed to function with a minimum 20 per cent of the built-up area for parking purposes on the condition that there shall be no parking on adjacent public roads,” municipal commissioner Gyana Das told The Telegraph today. “For the new kalyan mandaps, the parking area shall be 40 per cent of the built-up area according to the prescribed norms, along with the condition that there shall be no parking on public roads,” he said.

The city has some 180 kalyan mandaps. Many of these banquet halls, which had been functioning without a licence, contributed to traffic chaos by increasing vehicular congestion due to roadside parking in various areas of the city. The approach roads to the mandaps were also not suitable for parking vehicles.

Orissa High Court had registered a public interest litigation and made a licence from the municipal corporation mandatory for functioning of the kalyan mandaps in March. Adjudicating on the litigation, the court had further directed the civic body for formulation of a guideline for issuing the licences.

Subsequently, a committee consisting of an additional commissioner of the civic body, a planning member of the Cuttack Development Authority and the assistant commissioner of police (traffic), Cuttack, had conducted the survey and prepared a draft guideline.

“While endorsing the draft guideline on August 10, the high court directed the civic body to go ahead with issuing the licences,” said amicus curiae Arun Kumar Budhia.

The new rules make installation of closed-circuit television cameras and fire extinguishers mandatory for all the kalyan mandaps. The hall owners will also have to ensure that there is no noise pollution caused by any event. The hall owners will have to pay annual user fees for solid waste management in advance. The hall will be assessed as commercial holdings, and yearly holding tax will have to be paid in advance. The owners will also have to deploy security personnel to facilitate free flow of traffic in the area.

The civic commissioner said: “Licence shall not be granted to the mandaps unless required parking area is made available and verified. The committee has already been formed to verify the information supplied by the mandap owners for issuance of licence.”

The civic body has recently received applications for licence from 81 kalyan mandap owners. On March 16, the high court ordered for closure of about 100 kalyan mandaps that had not applied for licence. “On August 10, the court allowed the marriage halls to apply for licence,” Budhia said.

The new policy has also prescribed a fine of Rs 10,000 by a kalyan mandap owner for illegal roadside parking on the first instance. For the second such violation, the fine will be Rs 20,000, whereas any subsequent instance of the offence will lead to cancellation of licence. 

“The kalyan mandaps dispose solid waste on the road after events. We hope things will improve with the new rule. Besides, the local police stations should ensure there is no parking on roads near a mandap,” said Badambadi resident Praffula Mohanty.