The Hindu 14.02.2014

Action against unauthorised structures welcomed

The commercial complex in Coonoor which was sealed by officials.

With concern growing over the blatant violation of building rules in various parts of the district, action initiated against a commercial complex nearing completion at Coonoor on Wednesday has been hailed by people belonging to various sections of society.

Following complaints against the building which was coming up at Bedford, the district administration had asked the municipal authorities to take appropriate action.

With enquiries revealing that a permit issued by the municipality to put up a house had been misused to construct a commercial complex, civic officials had sealed the building late on Wednesday evening.

Earlier, the officials initiated action against another building in the vicinity which was being put up without adhering to the rules.

Welcoming the action Rajesh Kumar James, Secretary of the Coonoor Citizens’ Forum told The Hindu here on Thursday that following the building rules being made stringent in this ecologically sensitive district the trend , particularly among unscrupulous businessmen, was to find loopholes.

Permits

Since the municipality can issue permits to construct houses extending up to 1,500 sq.ft without getting no objection certificates from various agencies like the Geo Tech Cell, they are being misused to put up commercial complexes. He alleged that it was being done with the connivance of officials.

Among the places worst affected by such manipulation were Ooty, Coonoor and their surroundings.