The Hindu 14.02.2014
Action against unauthorised structures welcomed
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.