Chennai Want New Body to Stop Illegal Constructions

The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) and the Chennai Metropolitan
Development Authority (CMDA) have sought the state government’s approval
to constitute a high-level committee to monitor unauthorised constructions in
the Chennai metropolitan area.

This would provide powers to the commissioner to monitor even unauthorised
high-rise buildings. The Madras High Court has expressed displeasure that
despite various directions, no effective measures were taken to address
unauthorised constructions.

The court also brought to the notice of the corporation commissioner that there
are four major categories of unauthorised constructions — illegal and
unauthorised, without obtaining planning permission, buildings having floors
beyond permission, permission obtained for residential, but using it for
commercial purposes and deviated constructions.

The unauthorised constructions should be monitored zone-wise or division-wise
using the manpower of the corporation rather than in an unorganised way as is
done by using limited manpower of CMDA. Earlier, a monitoring committee
was set up by the Madras High Court to oversee the legalisation of unauthorised
buildings built before February 2, 1999.