The Hindu 17.07.2013
Master plan to remove encroachments
In response to public pressure, the Madurai
Corporation is working on a master plan to remove encroachments on the
four Masi Streets in the vicinity of Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple
here. Corporation authorities said the eviction drive would be launched
in the next few days.
“There are hundreds of encroachments on the Masi streets.
Street
vendors and shop owners are occupying the pavements thereby causing
hindrance to devotees and tourists coming to the Meenakshi Temple,” M.
Rakkappan, Chief Town Planning Officer, Madurai Corporation, told
The Hindu
on Tuesday. He pointed out that the encroachments on pavements,
‘pandhals’, and the unlicensed shops on the Masi Streets disrupt the
free flow of traffic and are a hindrance to pedestrians.
Meanwhile,
the Corporation’s town planning wing demolished unauthorised buildings
and unlicensed structures in Iravathanallur on Monday, and expanded
operations to K. Pudur on Tuesday.
Mr. Rakkappan said that private individuals encroached on the new channel area on fourth and fifth streets in Alagar Nagar.
The thrust will now be on the “added areas” which were annexed to the Corporation.