The Times of India       20.11.2014  

47 gated communities to get notices

COIMBATORE: A detailed inspection by the local planning authority has revealed that 47 of 67 group development projects in the city have deviated from the approved plan. "These 47 buildings will be issued show cause notices within a week," said officials of the local planning authority (LPA).

"Group buildings are generally gated communities and have more than one block. These buildings will be issued notices within a week and will be asked to submit the revised design within 15 days. If this is not done, the buildings will be sealed," said an LPA official.

Last week, LPA identified and sent notices to 13 multistoried buildings that had deviated from the approved plan last week. While owner of two commercial buildings agreed to demolish the unapproved portion, the rest have sent revised designs for approval.

Of the 47 group developments that will get notices next week, 34 are residential complexes, 12 educational institutions and one a commercial complex, said an official. The inspections were carried out after a building under construction collapsed at Moulivakkam in Chennai on June 28 killing 61 workers.

"Most of the violations are in the infrastructure and amenities areas," said the official. Many of the gated communities are located within city limits at Nanjundapuram, Avinashi Road, Trichy Road, Vadavalli, Uppilipalayam, Saibaba Colony, Ramanathapuram and Vilankurichi. Some educational institutions located at Athipalayam, Myleripalayam, Somayampalayam, Thirumalayampalayam, Kondayampalayam and Karumbapalayam are on the list.

Last week, LPA had issued notices to 11 residential buildings and two commercial complexes, both hospitals.

"Both hospitals had built a room to store medicines in the area that was allotted for parking. They have demolished them and submitted a revised plan to us," said an official.

"Since all the 13 building owners have responded, the documents will be dispatched to Chennai for approval," he said. The penalty for the violations will be decided by authorities in Chennai, said officials. The official said unapproved buildings will be issued notices soon.