Hotels Operating on Residential and Ashram Land, Siddh Vinayak Hotel Sealed
2026.02.15 (Vrindavan Today News): Large-scale violations of land-use regulations in Vrindavan have come under serious scrutiny after authorities sealed a hotel operating illegally on a residentially approved plot, exposing wider irregularities involving hotels, guesthouses, and marriage venues functioning without lawful land-use conversion. Over the past three years, widespread illegal constructions have emerged from Mathura to Vrindavan. Residential plots were converted into commercial buildings, while luxury hotels were constructed illegally on land designated for ashrams.
Typically, constructing a hotel takes one to two years, and preventing unauthorized construction is primarily the responsibility of assistant engineers and junior engineers posted in the respective areas. However, officials allegedly ignored violations during this period.
The action has intensified questions over alleged negligence by officials of the Mathura–Vrindavan Development Authority (MVDA), as unauthorized commercial constructions continue across residential colonies and land earmarked for temples, monasteries, and ashrams.
Siddh Vinayak Hotel Sealed After Fire Incident
In a major enforcement action, MVDA sealed Hotel Siddh Vinayak located in the Rukmini Vihar residential scheme after it was found operating commercially despite approval for a residential building.
The move followed a major fire incident on Wednesday afternoon around 4 PM, which triggered panic across the locality. District Magistrate Chandra Prkash Singh rushed to the spot along with administrative teams as several lives were narrowly saved.
According to the Authority Secretary, the building plan for plot number S-1/108 had been sanctioned strictly for residential use. However, inspection revealed that the premises were being used as a hotel in violation of approved land use.
Investigations further found multiple structural violations:
The approved map was reportedly cleared in 2024 by then-posted junior engineers. MVDA has now sought explanations from three officials Dinesh Gupta, Manoj Agarwal, and Anil Singhal, regarding their role in granting approval.
Considering the seriousness of the incident, District Magistrate C.P. Singh has ordered a detailed inquiry led by the City Magistrate.
Meanwhile, the controversy surrounding the Siddhi Vinayak Hotel in Vrindavan’s Rukmini Vihar residential colony has reached the Chief Minister’s Office following a fire incident that occurred during the hotel’s inauguration ceremony.
The complainant alleged that the hotel was constructed on a residential plot after securing approval for a residential building plan but was later operated commercially under the alleged supervision of development authority officials. The complaint alleged that officials silently permitted commercial hotels and guesthouses to operate under residential approvals in Chaitanya Vihar and Rukmini Vihar colonies, leading to widespread violations. Nearly 70–80 percent of activities in these residential colonies are now commercial in nature, it claimed.
The probe will examine:
On what basis the Fire Department issued clearance,
How the Pollution Control Board granted NOC,
How hotel operations were allowed despite residential approval,
And which officials were responsible for permitting construction contrary to sanctioned plans.
Wider Crackdown Ordered
Following directions from the MVDA Vice-Chairperson, a special engineering team has been constituted to inspect buildings in Rukmini Vihar and Chaitanya Vihar residential schemes where commercial activities are suspected.
All such structures operating against residential land use will be identified and action will be initiated.
MVDA Secretary Ashish Kumar Singh stated that commercial activities in residential areas are strictly prohibited and violations will lead to sealing of buildings and strict legal action.
Illegal Conversions Across Vrindavan
The Siddh Vinayak case is being viewed as part of a larger pattern in Vrindavan, where residential plots and land reserved for religious institutions have allegedly been converted into hotels, guesthouses, and banquet venues without proper land-use change approvals.
Between Chhatikara and Chaitanya Vihar, more than a hundred constructions are estimated to have come up on land originally reserved for ashrams and monasteries. Many projects remain under construction despite regulatory norms requiring gazette notification, public objections, and board approval before land-use conversion.
Residents say commercial operations inside residential colonies have resulted in traffic congestion, noise pollution, and sanitation problems.
Earlier, enforcement action was taken in the Hare Krishna Orchid residential colony after residents escalated complaints to the Chief Minister’s grievance forum, leading to sealing of banquet halls and a basement restaurant operating illegally.
MVDA officials confirmed that a survey along the Chhatikara–Vrindavan corridor is underway. Notices will be issued to violators following verification, and further enforcement action is expected.
