The Hindu 27.11.2009
“Building rules are flouted”
Staff Reporter
NAGERCOIL: The Nagercoil chapter of Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage(INTACH) here has urged the Government to replace the Tamil Nadu District Municipalities Building Act 1920 with Tamil Nadu District Municipalities Act 1972, in order to demolish illegal constructions with in the Municipal limit.
The provision of approaching the court to condone the violation should be dropped on public interest, said the convener R.S.Lal Mohan.
He said that the roads of the State were getting narrow due to illegal buildings on both sides of the road. The Tamil Nadu District Municipalities Building Act 1920 allowed the violators of the building rules of the Municipality to approach the court and condone the violation by paying Rs.250 to Rs.500 as penalty. After paying the penalty, they can get electricity and water connections.
This was the reason for mushrooming of illegal buildings along the road sides. According to the Tamil Nadu District Municipalities Act 1972 section II, no permission should be given if the boundary of the house was less than 1.3 meter from the road.
But this rule was completely flouted and houses were built even without leaving one feet from the road. Such constructions cause traffic problems and accidents.
Hence it was high time that the Municipal Act 1920 should be replaced, said Mr. Lal Mohan.
