CHENNAI: The Madras High Court has directed the civic authorities to submit details such as the actual width of key streets in T. Nagar and NSC Bose Road, along with the actual plan showing buildings constructed in violation of rules.

The First Bench, comprising Chief Justice A.P. Shah and Justice Prabha Sridevan, asked the authorities to submit all relevant details in court while hearing a public interest litigation petition (PIL) on Monday, questioning the inaction on the part of civic authorities in streamlining building activity and improving parking facilities in these areas It then adjourned the matter to July 21 for further proceedings.

G. Rajendran, the petitioner's counsel, submitted that Madley Road, Natesan Street, Ranganathan Street and Usman Road in T. Nagar and streets adjoining NSC Board Road had been heavily encroached upon and only a third of the actual width had been left for public use.

The petitioner, K.R. Ramaswamy, also filed an additional affidavit stating that the civic authorities had given a list of only 12 buildings constructed in violation of building laws.

The counter-affidavit filed by the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) and the Chennai Corporation had not given details such the date on which the illegal construction was started and completed, and the date on which the illegal activity was brought to the notice of the officials.

In some cases the stop work notice had been issued only after the PIL was filed, he said.

The Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB) is supposed to issue power connection only after the relevant certificates were submitted by the building-owners, he said.

He also said that the officials should be directed to furnish copies of the permission letter issued to the TNEB in respect of the 12 major violations in the city.

Similarly, Metrowater connection is also be given only after the officials issued the completion certificate.

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