The Hindu 29.12.2010
Court directive on building
Special Correspondent
CHENNAI: The Madras High Court has directed the Chennai Corporation
to take action to stop usage of a private building even without basic
amenities of sewage and drainage connection, resulting in great health
hazards to the neighbouring public.
Justice K.N. Basha gave this direction on a petition by T.G.
Rajagopalan of T. Nagar against Star City, a private building adjacent
to his residence.
According to him, the building was being run as a service apartment without any sewage and drainage connection.
“The building collects the sewage and keeps it in a sump and clears
it through a private lorry daily. The process emanates dirty smell and
pollutes the entire area,” Mr Rajagopalan said.
He sent complaints to the Corporation. But the Corporation officials
instead of taking action against the building merely stated that they
had already advised the building owners to get sewage and drainage
connection. Hence, he approached the court.
Stating that the conduct of the owners of the building would cause
serious health hazards to the public, particularly during the rainy
season, Justice Basha said service apartments could not be allowed
without basic facilities because the building was situated at a prime
location.
“It goes without saying that it is the duty and responsibility of the
Chennai Corporation to take all coercive steps and actions in a manner
known to law to stop the said menace,” the Judge said.