The Hindu             17.07.2013

Master plan to remove encroachments

In response to public pressure, the Madurai Corporation is working on a master plan to remove encroachments on the four Masi Streets in the vicinity of Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple here. Corporation authorities said the eviction drive would be launched in the next few days.

"There are hundreds of encroachments on the Masi streets.

Street vendors and shop owners are occupying the pavements thereby causing hindrance to devotees and tourists coming to the Meenakshi Temple," M. Rakkappan, Chief Town Planning Officer, Madurai Corporation, told The Hindu on Tuesday. He pointed out that the encroachments on pavements, ‘pandhals’, and the unlicensed shops on the Masi Streets disrupt the free flow of traffic and are a hindrance to pedestrians.

Meanwhile, the Corporation’s town planning wing demolished unauthorised buildings and unlicensed structures in Iravathanallur on Monday, and expanded operations to K. Pudur on Tuesday.

Mr. Rakkappan said that private individuals encroached on the new channel area on fourth and fifth streets in Alagar Nagar.

The thrust will now be on the "added areas" which were annexed to the Corporation.