CHENNAI: Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) removed 274 encroachments across the city last week as part of its encroachment removal drive.
These include temporary shops on pavements, illegally parked bikes, and other obstructions. Of the 274, about 71 encroachments were removed from Thiru Vi Ka Nagar zone.
Earlier this week, the civic body removed 400 encroachments from NSC Bose road.
On Sunday, pavement encroachments in Besant Nagar were removed. While activists appreciated the initiative, they questioned why the drive was restricted to removal of temporary encroachments and not permanent structures such as ramps and buildings constructed on pavements.
Civic activist David Manohar called the removal of temporary encroachments from pavements an eyewash, as the structures return to their original position within a matter of days. “Has GCC removed any permanent structure? I have been raising repeated complaints to remove a ramp encroachments and car-sheds extending up to roads in Kodambakkam zone. They are yet to act on it,” he said. “If they are not going to remove permanent structures, this drive is misleading.”
KK Nagar-based activist V Gopalakrishnan said that when asked, the corporation responds saying they must serve notices for permanent structures.
“After the notices are given, it is not followed up and demolition does not take place. The corporation must not show any leniency in removing permanent structures,” he said.
Meanwhile, city corporation officials said they were issuing notices to building violations and physical encroachments too.