Rajasthan HC Directs Nagar Nigam to Stop Illegal Constructions on Five Major Roads of Jaipur's Walled City

A Division Bench at Jaipur has ordered the Commissioner, Nagar Nigam to halt unauthorised construction on key roads of the 300-year-old Pink City and restore its heritage character.

The High Court of Judicature for Rajasthan, Bench at Jaipur, has directed the Commissioner, Nagar Nigam, Jaipur to identify and stop all illegal constructions being raised without due approval in the Walled City of Jaipur, commonly known as the Pink City. The order, passed on 7 August 2026 by a Division Bench comprising Justice Inderjeet Singh and Justice Sandeep Taneja, came in a civil writ petition filed by Jitendra Sharma, son of Vijay Shankar Sharma. The petition seeks an end to unauthorised construction by various persons within the Walled City and the restoration of the heritage character of what the court described as one of the best heritage cities in the world, established approximately 300 years ago. In the first phase, the bench identified five specific road stretches where construction activity is to be stopped immediately.

The Dispute Before the Court

Jitendra Sharma approached the Division Bench by way of D.B. Civil Writ Petition No. 14883/2026, contending that illegal constructions were being carried out by various persons in the Walled City of Jaipur without any approval from the Nagar Nigam or the Municipal Board. The petition called for action to halt such activity and for steps to restore the heritage look of the Pink City.

The State of Rajasthan and others were arrayed as respondents. Mr. Umesh Vyas appeared for the petitioner. Mr. G.S. Gill, Additional Advocate General, along with Ms. Shikha Sharma, Additional Assistant Advocate General, appeared for the respondents. The bench heard submissions from both sides before passing the interim directions on 7 August 2026.

The Legal Issue

At the centre of the petition is the question of whether constructions being carried out in the Walled City — without the sanction of the Nagar Nigam or the Municipal Board — may be permitted to continue given the heritage status of the area. The court's concern, as reflected in the order, is that such unauthorised activity threatens the distinctive character of a city that has stood for roughly three centuries.

How the Bench Reasoned

The Division Bench took note of the significance of the Walled City, recording that it was established and constructed about 300 years ago and is recognised as one of the best heritage cities in the world. Against that backdrop, the bench directed the Commissioner, Nagar Nigam, Jaipur to look into the matter and to stop all illegal constructions proceeding without due approval from the Nagar Nigam or the Municipal Board.

Rather than issuing a city-wide sweep at the outset, the bench adopted a phased approach. In the first phase, it confined the immediate directions to the major roads of the Walled City, specifying the exact stretches to be addressed. The bench also directed the respondents to take appropriate steps to restore the heritage look of the Pink City alongside the construction-stoppage measure.

Roads Named in the First-Phase Direction

The bench listed four road stretches to be covered in the first phase of the directions:

• Kishanpole Bazaar Road
• Choura Rasta
• Johri Bazaar Road
• The road starting from Chandpol Bazaar to Badi Chopad, passing through Tripolia Gate and Chhoti Chopad

On all four stretches, the respondents are directed to stop illegal constructions being raised without approval. The respondents are simultaneously directed to take steps for restoring the heritage look of the Pink City.

Outcome

The Division Bench passed the directions on 7 August 2026 and listed the matter for further hearing on 7 September 2026. The order is interlocutory in character, with the first phase of compliance expected to be reviewed at the next date. The directions bind the Commissioner, Nagar Nigam, Jaipur and the other respondents to halt unauthorised construction activity on the specified roads and to take measures to restore the heritage appearance of the Walled City.