Town planning director impleaded over encroachments

The first bench comprising Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice M Sundar, before whom the plea moved by a ward member of Perumbakkam Panchayat in Chennai came up for hearing on Monday, also impleaded Perumbakkam Town Panchayat and issued notice to the Government pleader on behalf of Secretaries of Revenue and Registration Departments. 

The petitioner submitted that in a layout in Perumbakkam Village, Sholinganallur Taluk, space was allotted for installation of three parks. But these spaces were encroached upon by some unidentified persons, who had raised a compound wall around the area stalling public access. Not stopping with that, the encroachers have also started construction of a three-storey residential apartment for sale. 

He also noted that as a ward member, he had raised the issue with both the Panchayat Union president as well as the district collector, but to no avail. The petitioner also submitted that the innocent customers, who would buy these apartments without knowing the real facts, may have to suffer heavy loss later. 

He also noted in his plea that such encroachments of public spaces happened all over Tamil Nadu and sought a direction from the court to erect boards in such spaces containing the measurements reserved for the park to deter people from purchasing any building in such reserved area.