CONCRETE JUNGLE: Construction activity in progress on the Light House beach at Kovalam. — Photo: C. Ratheesh Kumar

Kovalam: Unauthorised constructions defying Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms and the Kerala Municipal Building Rules are rampant at Kovalam, which has already been converted into a concrete jungle.

Over 100 unauthorised constructions, under the guise of renovation, are in full swing in the resort coming under Vizhinjam panchayat. Some of the unauthorised constructions are being carried out.

Buildings have come up in almost all available space behind the Light House beach, as it is the favourite resort of tan-seekers.

A three-storey structure has come up close to the pathway and near Edakkal rocks. Another construction is progressing a couple of metres away from the police aid posts that dot the Light House beach.

Sources said many persons undertake constructions during the weekend and holidays and later approach the panchayat and the Government for regularising them. The aim is to complete the buildings and to open restaurants, hotels and commercial establishments before the commencement of the tourist season next month.

In 2004, the Vigilance wing of the Local Self-Government Department detected 1,500 cases of unauthorised constructions in the panchayat.

Although the panchayat committee issued `stop memo' in 104 cases, no follow-up action was taken in specific cases of violation of the CRZ norms and Building Rules.

The sources said both the local panchayat and the Government failed to take timely action against the unauthorised constructions and assess tax on the basis of the renovated structures.

A senior Kerala Tourism official said it was for the panchayat and the Local Self Government department to initiate action. The issue of unauthorised constructions is likely to figure in the Kovalam Development Agency meeting scheduled on August 19.

The unauthorised constructions have become rampant at a time when Kerala Tourism has finalised the guidelines for the proposed Kovalam Special Tourism Zone comprising 13-km coastal stretch from the Edayar island to Poovar. The area has already been notified.

The guidelines aim at controlling and guiding all developmental activities and fine-tuning tourism development.

As per the guidelines, all tourism infrastructure envisaged for the future, within the 500-metre high-tide Line from the coast, should be `small-scale, low impact and high quality developments."

List forwarded

Vizhinjam panchayat president Asundha Mohan told The Hindu that the list of 153 unauthorised constructions in the panchayat was forwarded to the Chief Minister, Minister for Local Self-Government, District Collector and other officials.

"The Government has asked us to demolish 13 unauthorised constructions in the panchayat. This include constructions ranging from restaurants to five-star properties owned by a reputed hotel chain in the beach resort. The panchayat, at its meeting on Monday decided to seek a clarification from the Government on how the 13 properties were shortlisted for demolition," she Ms. Mohan.

The panchayat was of the opinion that all properties that encroached on the beach and unauthorised constructions should be pulled down.

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