Government puts restrictions on land regularisation

The Tamil Nadu Regularisation of Unapproved Layouts and Plots Rules, 2017, filed before the Madras High Court, framed under the provision of rule 122 of the Tamil Nadu Town and Country Planning Act, 1971, has restrictions on regularisation on land which encroach upon water bodies, poramboke land, and Open Space Reservation (OSR) among others.  

The categories of unapproved land which might not be regularised in the new rules include any land which is reserved for park or play-field in an approved layout,  plots blocking access to surrounding land which do not have any other means of access, land partially or wholly falling under the alignments of proposed road and rail corridors and street alignments specified in development plans etc. 

Lands which have encroached on a public road or street or on any other land over which the applicant do not possess ownership, lands affected by the repealed Tamil Nadu Urban Land (Ceiling and Regulation) Act, 1978, and land lying in part or whole below the alignment of high tension and extra high voltage electric line including tower lines are also exempted from regularisation, according to the new rules. 

For regularisation, the land holder/promoter should submit either the sale deed or title deed to be furnished as proof of evidence while the agreement of sale or general power of attorney will not be considered.  

The owners whose plots or layout which are eligible for regularisation are mandated to apply for regularisation under this scheme before six months’ period of the rules coming into effect with the competent authority. However, the plots regularised under this scheme can be solely used for residential usage irrespective of the zone in the development plans concerned.