KOCHI: At a time when intense lobbying is on to relax the CRZ norms, applications for CRZ clearance have started to pile up. According to officials, at least 572 applications submitted between April 2016 and September 29, 2016 from Ernakulam district is pending before the KCZMA.
Of the total applications, majority are submitted by fisherfolk seeking permission for house constructions. “The delay was caused owing to the delay in reconstituting the Coastal Zone Management Authority. The new authority has taken charge and we are expediting the process. However, we can only give clearances based on CRZ notification 2011 and there are chances that several of the applications will be rejected,” said an official.