The Hindu 29.12.2010
Court directive on building
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.
