Move to reclassify catchment area into industrial zone delayed

According to CMDA sources, the reclassification notifications pertaining to Red Hills catchment area and a waterbody in Nandambakkam was not discussed during a meeting held last week. “However, 15 reclassification notifications were taken up for discussion and the authority decided to accept 10 of them,” the sources said.

It was the Tamil Nadu Small Industries Development Corporation Limited that applied for the reclassification.

Senior officials of the planning authority had said that they would go ahead with the proposal to reclassify 53.97 acres of land in Red Hills catchment area as industrial zone, claiming that they had not received any objection.

But several activists rejected the claims, stating that they had indeed sent their objections against converting catchment area into industrial zone.

David Manohar of Arappor Iyakkam alleged that the CMDA kept the reclassification notifications of Red Hills catchment area and the waterbody in Nandambakkam in abeyance only to allow reclassification after the public forget the issue.

“CMDA should ensure more transparency in issuing reclassification. It should publicise the objections, and conduct meeting with the residents so that they can put forth their concerns,” he added.

When asked, a CMDA official there was no time limit to accept or reject an application. As per the usual practice, the CMDA would give 21 days for the residents to raise objections. If they fail to send it in writing, the application would be processed mostly in favour of applicants.