CHENNAI: Revenue officials in Chengalpattu district have inspected the Old Karikattupukkam beach, where multiple private buildings are being constructed in violation of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification, 2011 and also coming up allegedly on ‘grama natham’ land meant for the landless poor.
A day after TNIE published a report on the constructions, AR Rahul Nadh, director of Department of Environment and member secretary of Tamil Nadu State Coastal Zone Management Authority (TNSCZMA), said Chengalpattu collector has been asked to initiate an inquiry on land titles and issue show cause notices.
“The land records are being verified, but CRZ rules are clearly violated. The Chengalpattu collector, who is also the chairman of district CZMA, will issue a stop-work notice,” Nadh said.
As per official records, the area where the construction is being carried out comes under survey number 107/1 in Muttukadu panchayat limits.
TNIE has verified the land record details with the Department of Survey and Settlement of Tamil Nadu government, and the result says, “This is government land.”
However, Muttukadu panchayat officials claim that patta was obtained long ago and building permissions were also given. K Saravanan, a fishermen leader, said as on date these are government lands classified as grama natham and there is no ambiguity to this fact.
Tahsildar Natarajan, who visited the area on Tuesday, told TNIE that a survey was conducted and a detailed report will be submitted to the collector for further action.
As per the approved Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) map, the construction site is classified as CRZ-3 and falls within No Development Zone (NDZ). The area up to 200 metres from high tide line on the landward side in case of seafront is earmarked as NDZ, where no construction is permitted except for repairs or reconstruction of existing authorised structure not exceeding existing floor space index.
Some exceptions are given to fishermen and projects that need foreshore facilities. The buildings that are coming up are right on the high tide line.