Amid criticism over conversion of water bodies into plots for real estate, which is one of the major reasons for the city and suburbs getting flooded during monsoon, the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) has rejected three applications seeking reclassification of water bodies extending for an area of 25 acres. At a meeting, the CMDA refused to give its nod for converting portions of water bodies for residential layouts. It includes a 20.6 acre land parcel, which is the surplus course of Kosasthalaiyar River at Vallur in the northern suburbs belonging to a temple in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, which was being considered for a residential layout.
The decision was based on revenue department records and litho maps, wherein these land parcels seeking reclassification were mentioned as water bodies in the second master plan of the CMDA, as well. While 3.8 acres of land at Ayapakkam in the western suburbs that is part of a tank as per official documents was applied for reclassification, CMDA sources said seven applicants have sought reclassification for houses built over an area of 0.4 acres in ‘Periya eri’ (tank) at Pallavaram.
The decision was based on revenue department records and litho maps, wherein these land parcels seeking reclassification were mentioned as water bodies in the second master plan of the CMDA, as well. While 3.8 acres of land at Ayapakkam in the western suburbs that is part of a tank as per official documents was applied for reclassification, CMDA sources said seven applicants have sought reclassification for houses built over an area of 0.4 acres in ‘Periya eri’ (tank) at Pallavaram.
Though the applicants have the option to appeal their rejection with the state’s housing and urban development department, urban planners say the appeals could be rejected since the officials who were members of the CMDA Authority meeting will be part of the review panel.
