CHENNAI: A housing scheme conceived 25 years ago has been abandoned after the Tamil Nadu Housing Board (TNHB) cancelled acquisition of 65.34 acres of land in Sornajeri village of Poonamallee taluk in Thiruvallur district. A Government Order (GO) to this effect was issued on March 25, 2015.
The government had ordered acquisition of 65 acres in the village in September 1989, for a TNHB scheme. But, it never saw the light of the day as dispossession stay was granted to an extent of 32.6 acres by the High Court. As such, only 32.74 acres were awarded but they were not handed over to the TNHB.
In 1993, the board recommended to the government to withdraw the acquisition proposal as it would be difficult to implement the housing scheme in that area due to large number of constructions.
The Madras High Court had directed the Commissioner of Land Acquisition on November 11, 2013, to send suitable remarks to the Housing Secretary besides the resolution passed by TNHB and pass final orders.
Following this, the Commissioner sought the acquisition proceedings to be withdrawn under section 48 of Land Acquisition Act 1894.On the recommendation of the Commissioner as well as the Law and Revenue Department, the government cancelled the acquisition of 65.34 acres on March 25, 2015, the GO stated.
A TNHB source said the real issue was lack of adequate planning before acquiring the land. “It is not only with this project. There are numerous others facing litigation as the government has been sleeping over them and was hardly aware that the land had been encroached upon,” he said.