Date:08/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/08/stories/2008090859000300.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

More manpower in CMDA enforcement wing sought

Kannal Achuthan

Floor space index relaxation for several categories a challenge to local bodies
Devolving administrative, funding powers may lead to better planning

CHENNAI: The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) provides the master plan but enforcement of rules remains a tough task.

The CMDA’s enforcement wing is too small to oversee a burgeoning metropolis but local bodies, with a big network of staff, have limited planning powers. Urban Development Minister Parithi Illamvazhuthi told The Hindu that a request to increase the manpower in the CMDA enforcement wing has been sent to the State government. “The enforcement officials will coordinate with the Corporation as the local body already has staff across the city.”

The Corporation and several municipalities in the metropolitan area have powers to issue planning permission for ordinary residential buildings. Planning permission for special buildings and multi-storeyed buildings has to come from the CMDA. Clearances from the local body, the Directorate of Fire and Rescue Services, Metrowater and the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board are required for building approval, and violations can occur on any of these counts.

The relaxation in floor space index for several categories could throw up several challenges for the local bodies. Faster infrastructure development and provision of civic amenities are some of the hurdles that local bodies face.

Corporation Commissioner Rajesh Lakhoni said the higher floor space index allowed in the master plan would lead to vertical growth and denser population in the city. Upward growth was better than urban sprawl as it was easier to manage infrastructure within a smaller area, he said. A strong enforcement cell is required to control violations.

One provision that the master plan provides to improve civic infrastructure expansion is the transfer of development rights (TDR). TDR means making available some amount of additional built-up area in lieu of the area relinquished or surrendered by the owner of the land. For example, the Corporation needs to acquire land to build the four-lane flyover and subway proposed on Lattice Bridge Road in Thiruvanmiyur. This would be done through TDR.

Some municipal chairpersons are of the view that devolving administrative and funding powers could lead to better planning. In a consultation organised by the Human Rights Advocacy and Research Organisation, R. Gnansekar, Chairperson of Manali Muncipality, said: “Planning permissions for new constructions are given by the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority. But, it is we who have to bear the brunt of groundwater depletion or sewage contamination.”