Submit report in four weeks over unauthorised constructions, says Madras High Court
Chennai: Slamming the authorities for remaining silent for a long period of time over unauthorised constructions in George Town, the Madras high court has said authorities should put their heads together to see how to tackle the menace.
Passing orders on a PIL by social activist ‘Traffic’ Ramaswamy, a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice M. M. Sundresh said, “We find the enormity of the problem of unauthorised construction astounding!
On perusal of the additional action taken report filed by Chennai Corporation Commissioner, it does appear to us that the concerned authorities have remained silent over a long period of time, permeating such lawlessness qua constructions”.
In its action taken report, the corporation submitted that it has initiated enforcement action on all 740 buildings and lock and seal notices were initiated for 126 buildings. In respect of 66 on going constructions, lock and seal notices were initiated for 16 buildings.
After perusing the action taken report and the report of amicus curie, which sought to focus on various aspects, the judges said, “We are thus of the view that the Commissioner of Corporation, Member-Secretary of CMDA and Secretary, Housing and Urban Development, with the assistance of amicus curie should put their heads together to see how to tackle this menace both from the point of view of rectification for the past and prevention for future.
This can brook no delay. We grant four weeks time for the said purpose and the report be placed before us”. Taking note of the data produced by amicus curie in respect of appeals relating to multi-storied buildings and ordinary buildings, the Bench said,
“This leaves us no doubt whatsoever about the process of having the secretary of housing and urban development department alone to deal with these numbers completely impracticable, something we have been emphasising for quite some time. We have in some other proceedings also observed that the number of authorities to tackle this issue has to be enhanced.” The bench listed the matter for compliance on April 20.
