Building Violations in Chennai continue to increase
Over one lakh illegal buildings in Chennai not only cause a strain on civic infrastructure but also attack the foundations of a law-governed society. Areas like Sowcarpet, T Nagar and Mylapore, continue to add more FSI, causing congestion in narrow bylanes, clogging of sewer lines, and reducing water supply in pipelines.
In areas like Adyar, Raja Annamalaipuram, Mylapore, Anna Nagar and Broadway, violations of parking norms are common. The development regulations of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1971, demands car space for floor area above 75 sq m in residential buildings and above 100 sq m in commercial buildings. But vehicles spill onto the roads. The narrow bylanes are the worst affected, with two-wheelers competing with cars for the available inch of space.
“Any violation creates problems, whether they happen in residential, commercial or highrise structures,” said Suresh Kuppuswamy, professor and head of school of architecture, Anna University, an expert in planning.
“Voltage fluctuations caused by overdrawing of power by high-rise commercial buildings damage our electrical appliances. The use of high-end generators by traders ruins the tranquillity of our neighborhood,” said S Rajaram, a resident of Rangan Street, T Nagar.
“Despite the CMDA sealing unauthorized buildings in the recent past, violations continue to increase. They happen due to the collusion of the builders with elected representatives and authorities at the lower level,” said L Prakasam, a resident of Mylapore.
At Rameswaram Street, near Ranganathan Street, residents complain of frequent overflowing of sewage from manholes, due to dumping of food waste by eateries.
When the DMK government introduced “regularization” schemes, over 33,000 builders approached CMDA to “set right” their building violations. Now, official estimates put the count at over a lakh.
Adyar, Anna Nagar, Building Violations, Building Violations in Chennai, Chennai, illegal buildings, Illegal buildings in Chennai, Mylapore, Raja Annamalaipuram, Sowcarpet, T Nagar
