Ooty: Action against ‘illegal’ buildings in Nilgiris

Ooty: The municipal administration here has finally decided to act tough against the illegal constructions in the hills, as it began to seal the unauthorized constructions that have sprouted across the town here.  The municipal administration at Coonoor near here demolished two buildings that had come up in the bus stand area encroaching the nearby stream.

While more than 1,000 buildings, which had come up in the hills defying the Hill Stations Building Rules(HSBR), are facing action as a case in against the illegal constructions is already in the Apex court, the Ooty municipal administration finally plunged into action from Monday  to seal such buildings.

On Monday, the municipal officials sealed seven such buildings in Walsham road area here.  Official sources said that it has been found now that nearly 300 buildings which had been constructed on dwelling house permission and were later converted into commercial buildings in the past will be sealed as they defy the HSBR norms.  

As per HSBR norms any building in the hills which was constructed by taking dwelling house licence should not be converted for commercial purpose.  The sealing of such buildings would continue in the weeks to come, sources added.

Meanwhile, Mr. Elephant G. Rajendran,Chennai-based environmentalist, who is the petitioner in the PIL related to unauthorized constructions in Nilgiris, when contacted said that HSBR is clear  about what type of buildings to be constructed in which type of zone.  In primary residential zones, the buildings meant for commercial purpose is completely banned.  

But, many tourist cottages have sprouted in these zones against the HSBR.  So, action is needed, he pointed out.