CHENNAI: In their continuing bid to keep buildings across the city in line, the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) has locked and sealed 109 buildings since 2009 for violating development regulations. According to information available on the body’s website 483 buildings were issued locking, sealing and demolition notices and a total of 108 regularisation scheme application for commercial buildings were rejected while 57 applications for residential buildings were not given sanction.
CMDA also stated that it had rejected seven applications for completion certificates. This also included a Satyam Computer Services building located in Sholinganallur village. Application for four special buildings, which had sought planning permission were also rejected. Similarly, planning permissions for six multi-storied building were also rejected.
It is also learnt that this year alone, CMDA had issued 285 planning permissions. To ensure that this crackdown continues in an organised manner, the Enforcement Cell of Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority has set up a toll free number to make complaints and inform about the deviated or unauthorised constructions in Chennai Metropolitan Area. Sources said that CMDA has provided a toll free number 18004256099 to inform about deviated or unauthorised constructions relating to special buildings and multi-storeyed buildings. Complaints about ordinary buildings will be forwarded to a local body for action.
CMDA has urged the people to make use of this facility, which will enable the authority prevent deviated or unauthorised constructions in Chennai Metropolitan Area. It is learnt that the toll free number is already getting a large number of complaints. “Yes sir, we are getting large number complaints,” said the operator when City Express made a confirmatory call. The move also comes after CMDA issued caution notices on its website recently urging buyers to check for completion certificate before making payment. However, the caution notice was restricted only to two buildings. Surprisingly, the caution notice as well as the toll free number is being circulated only on the website. “How would a common man know about the toll free number when no publicity has been given about it,” said a builder. “This shows it is just a tactic to tell the court that they are serious, but in reality other than the official who posted it, nobody knows about the toll free number,” the builder added.