Bhubaneswar: The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has stepped up action against the misuse of residential buildings for commercial purposes, serving notices to 133 property owners and identifying 35 buildings for sealing in line with Supreme Court directives. Officials said notices have been issued to 133 of the 153 identified violators, while notices for the remaining 20 are being prepared. The drive follows the apex court’s observations during a hearing July 9, when it expressed dissatisfaction over BMC’s enforcement against unauthorised commercial activities in residential buildings. Following the SC directions, BMC has begun examining each case and preparing affidavits for all identified properties. He further alleged that residential buildings were being converted into hospitals, clinics and commercial establishments, estimating that nearly 5,000 such properties exist in the capital.