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CMDA seals under-construction building on Anna Salai

Wednesday, 11 November 2009 07:44 administrator
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The Times of India 11.11.2009

CMDA seals under-construction building on Anna Salai

Julie Mariappan, TNN 11 November 2009, 06:40am IST

CHENNAI: The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority on Monday sealed an unauthorised structure under-construction on Anna Salai. The structure was found to be violating development control rules (DCR) of the Tamil Nadu Town and Country Planning Act, 1971.

Official sources claimed that the developer had obtained permission from the planning body only for the construction of basement and three floors. After getting permit, it is said, he added another floor unauthorisedly. And the DCR requirements were not fulfilled during the course of construction, including space for road-widening. The CMDA had issue a notice in June to stop the work.

"There is a serious violation of set back and floor space index. Though the land falls very close to the arterial road, the rules were not adhered to in terms of allotment of space for road-widening, etc.," sources told TOI. The Teynampet police could not reach the owner of the property at the time of sealing the structure R.S No.3869/2 and 3870, block 76 of the Mylapore division, Teynampet.

Enforcement action was taken as per Section 56 (2A) (discontinue the use of building by locking and sealing the premises) of the T&CP Act, 1971. "The owner has applied for permit for the revised plan for the additional floor, which was however rejected. The construction itself was violating the plan permit issued earlier," sources said.

The agency said no third party shall acquire or seek to acquire any interest in the property. Neither the owner nor the developer/occupier has any right to use the premises in any manner, whatsoever or to tamper with the seal of the CMDA. In the event of violation, the owner/developer/occupier will be liable for criminal prosecution, the notice warned.

For the CMDA, this is the eighth structure being sealed since November last, after the government stalled demolition of unauthorised buildings. The Chennai Corporation is yet to crack the whip against unauthorised buildings, sources said. The state has delegated powers to both CMDA and local bodies to lock and seal unauthorised buildings built after July 27, 2007. The buildings built earlier come under an ordinance.

 

Separate authorities for Kovai, Tiruchy, Madurai

Wednesday, 11 November 2009 07:17 administrator
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The New Indian Express 11.11.2009

Separate authorities for Kovai, Tiruchy, Madurai

Express News Service

CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu government is planning to set up separate development authorities for Coimbatore, Tiruchy, Madurai and Salem, Information Minister and Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) chairman Parithi Ellamvazhuthi said here on Tuesday.

Inaugurating a seminar on ‘New Trends in Town and Country Planning’ to mark the World Town Planning Day on Tuesday, the minister said people would soon be able to access CMDA’s recently-launched e-governance initiative of computerisation of layout preparation and launching of plans approved by the organisation in its website.

Institute of Town Planners India (ITPI), Tamil Nadu Regional Chapter secretary S Balasubramanium, who highlighted the situation of town planning manpower in the TN government planning organisations, urged the minister to initiate measures by way of recruitment at various levels.

He also demanded that the minister allow town planning professionals to practise as licensed town planners as followed in other states for strengthening the town planning profession and public welfare. Balasubramanium also stressed the need for creating an advisory panel for Model Real Estate (Regulation of Development) Act in TN. He urged for a Town Planning Administrative Tribunal to look into the problems arising over the plans and other issues.

Last Updated on Wednesday, 11 November 2009 07:19
 

Only 5% town planners in state qualified for job

Wednesday, 11 November 2009 06:40 administrator
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Deccan Chronicle 11.11.2009

Only 5% town planners in state qualified for job

November 11th, 2009
By Our Correspondent

Chennai, Nov. 10: Only five per cent of planners in various town planning authorities in the state are actually qualified for the job, said Mr. S. Balasubramaniam of the Institute of Town Planners, India.

This would be sobering thought for those who complain of flooded roads, traffic snarls, dirty slums and encroachments.

What is even worse is that the suggestions of even qualified planners hardly make it to the blueprint.

“For instance, in town panchayats, it is the maestri who has not passed Class 12 who sanctions building approvals,” said Mr. Balasubramaniam at a seminar on the occasion of the World Town Planning Day on Tuesday. “Rather than a planner with a masters’ degree in town planning who thinks beyond the engineering angle, it is the civil engineers, diploma holders and ITI graduates who are chalking out plans for the cities.”

He said the main reason for this was anomalies in the government’s hiring policies that have not changed since the 1970s, and hence do not reflect the need to recruit qualified planners to meet the present challenges that urban areas were facing.

“What this means for the slum dwellers and the affluent alike is that cities are growing on their own without a definite path, merely reacting to the challenges thrown at them,” said Dr Abdul Razak Mohammed, professor of town planning in the Anna University.

 
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