: The first bench of Madras High Court today ordered two weeks notice to Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority and Chennai Corporation on a PIL,seeking stern action against unauthorised buildings constructed without mandatory safety measures in Georgetown area.
When the PIL filed by social activist 'Traffic' K R Ramaswamy came up for hearing before Acting Chief Justice S K Agnihotri and Justice M M Sundresh, two weeks notice was taken on behalf of the authorities concerned.
The petitioner contended that CMDA and Chennai Corporation had granted no objection certificate for construction of buildings in narrow and congested streets without provision of any safety gadgets.
He cited a recent major fire at a multi storeyed building on a street there, which lacked safety provisions and had not followed the rules of Town Planning Act,1971. The area where the fire occurred was narrow and fire service vehicles were unable to enter the street. This contravened the act which did not allow multi-storied buildings in congested lanes, he said.
He also alleged no action was taken by the corporation and CMDA authorities to inspect the buildings in George Town, Sowcarpet and Pursaiwalkam before giving them electricity and water connections. Also, many buildings were being occupied without the completion certificate, said the petition.
The petitioner also sought a direction to direct officials concerned to furnish its NOC and completion certificate along with a detailed accident report. It also sought directions to ask the member secretary, CMDA to take immediate action to prevent future fire accidents in the area.
It also said the state had not appointed chairman and member for State human Rights Commission and there was no lok ayuktha to question the erring officials.
