Tamil Nadu - Coimbatore   

Voluntary demolition by building owner

Staff Reporter

Coimbatore: A leading textile showroom on Oppanakkara Street, of its own volition, has started demolishing portions in its complex constructed in violation of building rules.

The decision of the building owner has come as a relief to the administration, rather than requiring the enforcement machinery to do the razing down.

Through such enforcement drives, the administration has been struggling to bring in a culture of compliance to rules.

The administration made it clear that enough notices were served on these building owners, giving them adequate time but none of the notices were taken seriously.

These structures with violations not only endangered the safety of the public but also denied parking space, leading to vehicles encroaching upon the space on either side of the road.

The High Court had already taken up a petition filed by the Coimbatore Consumer Cause (CCC) on building rule violations for hearing.

The Secretary of organisation, K. Kathirmathiyon, said that with the City growing in leaps and bounds and pouring in investments into infrastructure, it was time to ensure compliance with the rules.

The District Administration, Local Planning Authority and the Corporation commenced a drive last month against more than 500 buildings with rule violations, deviations and unauthorised structures after identifying a number of such structures across the City.

The administration after conveying a stern message on its zero tolerance approach towards violations, it allowed the building owners to fall in line by displaying a culture of compliance by demolishing the structures or by altering them on their own and then seeking regularisation.

It also made it clear that these avenues for relief should not be used as an opportunity to buy time and delay the enforcement drive.

Compliance

Meanwhile officials and a section of consumer activists pointed out that it should turn into a public movement, since compliance with rules were meant only to make the city better and safer.

People should realise that venturing into a building with violations and deviations was at the cost of one's safety. These buildings were found to be vulnerable to fire mishaps and stampede in the event of a need for evacuating people.

In addition, such buildings without parking space contributed heavily to the problems on the roads. Hence, it was for the consumers to boycott commercial establishments housed in such buildings.

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