What an IDEA to curb illegal constructions!

CHENNAI: In a bid to curb unauthorised constructions, the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) has stressed on the need for a multi-agency unit with representations from various departments.According to a report submitted to the government recently, the CMDA has underlined the need for an Inter Departmental Enforcement Agency (IDEA) headed by the vice-chairman, CMDA, with ample representation from various other departments including the Chennai Corporation, Director of Town Panchayats, District Collector, Police, TNEB, CMWSSB, Telephones and the Registration Department. The report estimates that 20,000 odd buildings of Ordinary, Special, Institutional and Multi-Storeyed categories mushroom every year in the Chennai Metropolitan Area (CMA) and nearly one-third of these buildings are built with deviations in some form or the other to an already approved plan. “In CMDA, more than 40,000 cases have been booked and action initiated. There is a gross imbalance between the number of unauthorised constructions coming up and those against which action has been initiated,” the report said.The report also stressed on the need to avoid duplication by preparing a master list of files with a specifically programmed software. This will enable a perfect record of each and every site looked for violation or deviation. Besides, the enforcement cell should periodically inspect the site, right from the stage of submission of planning permission application. It should  report to the plan sanctioning section in area plans unit, so that, in the event of detection of deviated construction, issue of planning permission is at stake. This will instill a sense of responsibility in the builder to adhere to norms, the report said. The report also said the Madras City Municipal Corporation Act, 1919, which prescribes the obligations and responsibilities of Licenced Surveyors besides fixing onus on the owner of the site or building to not commence construction without intimating to the Corporation, should be strictly enforced.