More than 700 buildings in Chennai issued lock and seal notices now!!
Posted on: 19/Jul/2022 9:57:01 AM
The original building plan has been violated in the last 18 months by more than 720 buildings belonging to the metropolitan area. As a result, CMDA has issued lock and seal notices to these buildings.
It must be taken into account that of these just 5percent have carried out rectification and one building with violation has been demolished. North zone in Chennai had the highest number of violations and this accounted for 40percent of the notices issued by CMDA.
Any building that violated building approval norms can be penalised Rs 50000 and this was under the TN town and country planning Act 1971. A senior official belonging to CMDA explained that penalty provision was only through prosecution and conviction as it was a criminal offence and there was zero compliance. The number of violations would come down if compounding was allowed and penalties were implemented.
Twenty two stop work notices have been issued by CMDA in the last 6 months alone. Two buildings were sealed by 32 lock and seal notices. Truth is that 5 building owners have gone and appealed with the government and 10 owners replied to the notices asking for more time.
Two hundred and sixty five lock and seal notices were issued and 5 buildings were sealed in 2021-2022. As many as 183 owners went for appeals and owners of 120 buildings sought more time.
Just 10percent of the owners rectified their buildings in Chennai and this was mentioned by some officials. In the 1980s, the enforcement wing of CMDA was set up to create awareness and to demonstrate various activities of CMDA. The local body was responsible for the inspection and notice issuing provision. After some time, it began issuing lock and seal notices to those who were approved by CMDA. Under a chief planner, the wing has 4 assistant planners and 2 deputy planners.
