The New Indian Express 11.11.2009
Separate authorities for Kovai, Tiruchy, Madurai
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.