Plea against shop over wrong use of residential plot

CHENNAI: With violation of building rules continuing unabated in the city despite the high court striking down the state government's three earlier regularisation schemes aimed at condoning such violations, residents are increasingly approaching courts to prevent such illegalities and secure their right to quality life.
Acting on a petition filed by the residents' welfare association of Mangesh Street off North Usman Road, seeking to restrain Saravana Stores Thanga Maligai from constructing an allegedly illegal building adjacent to its present jewellery showroom in the heart of T Nagar, the Madras high court has sent notices to the promoters, municipal administration secretary, Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA), Chennai Corporation and additional commissioner, Chennai traffic police.

The petitioner, R Ramani, president of the association, alleged that the retail giant purchased two residential plots on Mangesh Street and put them into commercial use by clubbing them with an adjacent commercial plot, which abuts the Doraisamy Road. The promoter has got planning permission from the CMDA to construct an office building on the premises and Chennai Corporation has issued building permit also. Both the agencies apparently overlooked misuse of residential land.

As per rules, no commercial activity can be carried out on a residential plot. To circumvent this rule, the promoter showed the residential plot as car park area for the proposed office building, which is under construction. Ramani further charged that the actual intention of the promoter is to convert the new building also into a jewellery shop. Such activities would put undue strain on Mangesh Street which has just six metre carriageway and hence it should be prevented, Ramani pleaded.