Date:11/07/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/07/11/stories/2007071159100300.htm

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Mayor warns of crackdown on unauthorised buildings

Special Correspondent

Corporation team inspects construction site at Aristo Junction

UNDER SCRUTINY: Mayor C. Jayan Babu and Corporation officials inspecting an unauthorised building under construction at Aristo Junction in the city on Tuesday.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Mayor C.Jayan Babu said here on Tuesday that the Corporation was planning a heavy crackdown on unauthorised buildings in the city. He was speaking after inspecting a site near Aristo junction from where illegal construction activity had been reported.

The Mayor said the Corporation had received complaints of buildings being constructed without the mandatory building permit. “There are also a large number of constructions that violate the building rules. We are planning strong deterrent action against the builders. No one will be spared,” he said.

Mr. Jayan Babu was accompanied by chairman of the Town Planning committee R. Satheeshkumar, Corporation Secretary Johnson K. George, Assistant Town Planning Officer Mohankumar and Building Inspector Sugathan.

Mr. Satheeshkumar said the landowner, an MLA from Tamil Nadu, had entrusted a builder with the project. “The builder initially applied for a construction permit for a six-storied building. Since the plot measured only 4.5 cents, the permit was denied. Later, the builder approached us with a revised application for a three-storied building. However, the plan failed to satisfy the mandatory setback requirements,” he said. The team found that the construction of the cellar and the pillars had been completed.

The Mayor directed the Town Planning department to issue notice for demolition of the unauthorised structure.