The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Madurai News : Major drive against encroachments

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Feb 08, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Madurai

Major drive against encroachments

By Our Staff Reporter

MADURAI, FEB.7. The Corporation today launched a major drive against encroachments in the city, following a direction from the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court.

The Commissioner (in-charge), C. Rajamani, told reporters that the local body had chalked out a plan to evict all encroachments on the roads, streets and lanes by February 17.

Apart from removing the portion of buildings that extended onto the roads and streets, those buildings illegally constructed upon corporation land would be razed down.

No exemption would be given to anyone, expect for those who had obtained stay orders.

Necessary earthmovers, lorries and manpower had been deployed for the job.

Besides, the city police were providing security to the local body officials in the eviction drive.

Though the Corporation had been taking up eviction drive on a slower pace, it was only now that it had gained momentum following the court direction, Mr. Rajamani said exuding hope that there might not be any political interference in the job.

Stating that squatters used to occupy the vacant land and road margins, he said the Corporation this time would take up a "protective action" to prevent return of encroachers.

The local body would also initiate criminal action against habitual offenders, he said.

Though it was not practically possible to keep a tab on every nook and corner of the city, the building inspectors were accountable for encroachments, Mr. Rajamani said. The public could lodge complaints in their areas to the Assistant Commissioners — (East) 94437-39522, (West) 94437-39503, (South) 94437-39504, (North) 94437-39505, or the Executive Engineer (North and East) 94437-39507 and Executive Engineer (South and West) - 94437-39508 or the Chief Town Planning Officer - 94437-39512.

No water after April

Mr. Rajamani said the storage position in the Vaigai dam was very poor and even with replenishment from Periyar dam (as promised by the Public Works Department), the local body could supply drinking water only till April.

Though the city was at the mercy of summer showers now, with statistics presenting a positive picture, Mr. Rajamani said the Corporation had an alternative plan in place to cope with a crisis.

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