The Chennai Corporation, in association with the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) is all set to evict encroachers from the northern suburb of Manali New Town.
According to sources, the CMDA and Chennai Corporation will carry out joint exercise in enumerating the encroachers in the Manali and carry out a joint operation in evicting them.
Encroachment is a major issue plaguing Manali and it is learnt that about 300 residential huts have made encroachments. Especially, the margins of wider main roads across Manali are occupied to up residential hutments.
At a recent meeting held under the chairmanship of member secretary of CMDA, R Venkatesan with Chennai Corporation Commissioner D Karthikeyan, it was also decided that CMDA will complete the task of clear demarcation of the sites reserved for various civic and social facilities that are required to be handed over to Chennai Corporation.
The meeting also highlighted non-collection of `82 crore worth development charges and open space reservation (OSR) charges. The issue is likely to be discussed during a separate meeting with corporation officials, CMDA sources said.
Meanwhile, Chennai Metropolitan Development authority is going to develop 20 acres of land in Manali. A well-placed sources told City Express: “CMDA will sell those plots. We have given tenders for developing the land.” It is learnt that around 300 residential type plots would be developed..
Located about 20 kms away from city on the northern fringes of Chennai, the locality was created as a satellite township in the 1980s. Lack of basic infrastructure like proper roads, street lights are the major grievances of the residents.
Along with nearby Mathur, the Manali New Town had been under the control of the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority. Last year, it was among the many new suburbs absorbed by the Chennai Corporation. It now falls under Zone II of the civic body and has 7 wards (15 to 21).