Date:16/11/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/11/16/stories/2007111659600400.htm

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Technical panels to be revived

N.J. Nair

To prevent unrestricted construction of commercial, residential buildings

The committees became defunct in 1998
Absence of a monitoring system paved way for wanton construction

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The technical committees which existed in Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Kozhikode for issuing building permits is likely to come into being once again. In order to prevent the unrestricted construction of commercial and residential apartments and ensure a planned and proportionate development of cities and towns, the Local Administration Department is likely to revive the committees, sources said.

The committees comprising representatives of various departments became defunct from 1998 and no attempts have been made to revive their functioning later. The committees comprised officials of the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB), Kerala Water Authority (KWA), Public Works Department (PWD), Telecommunications, local self-government institutions and also the Town and Country Planning Department.

Members of the panel used to meet at regular intervals and take up the applications for building permits. Clearances for construction were issued only after considering the availability of all facilities in a locale, including drinking water, electricity and space for road and parking. Till 1998, the functioning of the panels were confined to the corporation limits.

Though the committees were not a foolproof mechanism, the absence of a monitoring system in due course paved the way for wanton construction of high-rises and unauthorised structures all over the State.

The spurt in construction brought a series of problems in its trail ranging from drinking water shortage to lack of parking and road space in the corporation as well as municipal and certain panchayat limits. This situation is feared to worsen in the coming years with the expansion of the Technopark in the capital, setting up of the Smart City in Kochi and industrial units in Kozhikode and other parts of the State.

Official sources said that a proposal to revive the committees, including representatives of the Kerala State Pollution Control Board (PCB), has already been mooted and it is being considered by the department.

As the rural-urban distinction is disappearing fast and development activities are getting focussed in certain panchayats like Maradu in Kochi, formation of the committees has become imperative in all districts. This is also expected to reduce the burden of the Town and Country Planning Department which is now forced to dedicate most of its time for sorting out complaints about violation of building rules and sanctioning of building permits. Hence, preparation of development plans has become a casualty.

The Local Administration Department will have to accept the proposal in principle and then revive the committees, sources said.