Thiruvananthapuram: Engineering officials blind to violations

Thiruvananthapuram: The town planning standing committee has sought action against three engineering officials for showing apathy in initiating action against violators converting parking space for commercial purpose and encroaching public spaces. There is hundreds of such violation in each ward and the engineering wing is reluctant to report on such violators. Sources said that many of the commercial establishments in the state capital with such violations are not mentioned in the report submitted by the officials.

Several weeks have gone by since the standing committee directed the engineering wing of all 21 zonal offices under the corporation to come up with the list of encroachers and violators in their jurisdiction. However, the officials continue to flout the deadlines set by the town planning standing committee.

On Wednesday, the town planning standing committee has decided to initiate action against three officers for not complying with the deadline. The rift between the corporation staffs and the corporation council become more evident with the engineering wings cold-shouldering the decision of the standing committee.  The committee has directed the assistant engineers and overseers to report on the violators and report within seven days.

Town planning standing committee chairman Palayam Rajan said that the officers have failed to come up with the list on violators. “The reports are dissatisfactory and we have given yet another ultimatum for the officers. We have sought action against three officers from corporation secretary for not submitting the reports,” said Palay-am Rajan.

He said that new deadline has been set for the engineering wing to report on the encroachment. “We are planning to convene a meeting with the Vyapari Vyavasayi Samiti and trade union soon to prevent resistance during action. We have served confirmation order to many and we would be taking them down. Also action would be taken against encroachers who have taken over purampokk land without any notice,” Mr Palayam Rajan added.