Latest news with #DTCP
The Hindu
a day ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Madras High Court suo motu impleads Mata Amritanandamayi Math in forest case
The Madras High Court has suo motu impleaded Mata Amritanandamayi Math as one of the respondents to a case related to alleged erection of a two-kilometre-long electric fence, disturbing the movement of elephants, on the Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham campus in Ettimadai situated at the foothills of the Bouluvampatty ranges of the Western Ghats in Coimbatore district. A special Division Bench of Justices N. Sathish Kumar and D. Bharatha Chakravarthy directed the High Court Registry to issue notice, returnable by June 25, to the Math. The court felt it essential to hear the institution and ascertain if any of the conditions imposed by the Directorate of Town and Country Planning (DTCP) and the Forest Department had been violated by it. The direction was issued on a petition filed by forest activist M. Siva through his counsel M. Purushothaman. Responding to the petition, Coimbatore Collector G. Pavankumar told the court that the Math had submitted an application on April 3, 2023 for changing the use of 12.622 hectares of land from agricultural purposes to educational purpose in the revenue records. Since the deemed university campus run by the Math bordered with the reserve forests, necessary remarks were called for from the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Head of Forest Force) before taking a call on the application. On January 18, 2024, the PCCF submitted a list of 17 conditions under which the Math's request for change of classification of lands could be considered. Thereafter, the DTCP granted permission to the Math by directing it to follow all the 17 conditions scrupulously. One of the conditions required the maintenance of a buffer zone of 150 metres along the reserve forests boundary for free movement of wildlife, particularly elephants. The other condition stated that wild animals passing through applicant's land, for food and water, should not be disturbed. The applicant was also instructed that fencing, if any, around its land must be erected only as per the Tamil Nadu Power Fences (Registration and Regulation) Rules, 2023 and that there should not be continuous barrier to block free movement of wild migratory animals. The Math was also asked to report movement of elephants to the nearby forest office and not drive them away. 'In order to ascertain whether any of the conditions have been violated and since no decision can be taken without affording an opportunity of hearing to the said private institution, Mata Amritanandamayi Math... is suo motu impleaded as the 67th respondent in the writ petition,' the Divsion Bench ordered.
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Vision 2041: Kovai charts ambitious urban future with master plan
COIMBATORE: The 'GIS-based Coimbatore Master Plan – 2041' aims to create a sustainable, resilient, and inclusive urban future for the city. It has been crafted by the Directorate of Town and Country Planning (DTCP) under the Tamil Nadu Town and Country Planning Act, 1971. The master plan covers a Local Planning Area (LPA) of 1,531.57 sq km, which includes the Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation (CCMC), four municipalities, 21 town panchayats, and 66 revenue villages, accounting for nearly 74% of the district's population. The focus is on the population, which is projected to rise from the 2011 figure of 24.57 lakh by 2041. Recognising Coimbatore's growing role as a hub for MSMEs, IT, education, healthcare, and manufacturing, the plan outlines development strategies that support economic expansion and environmental stewardship. Feedback from residents, civic bodies, industry representatives, and transport authorities was actively sought through stakeholder meetings, field surveys, GIS-based analysis, and a dedicated website. The plan also examines the shortcomings of past efforts, such as the 2001 Master Plan and the Kurichi New Town Development Plan. It notes that while residential development fell short of expectations, commercial and institutional growth surged, driven by a service-based economy. Industrial expansion followed its own path along emerging corridors like Avinashi Road, rather than sticking to zoned areas. Learning from these patterns, the 2041 plan proposes flexible zoning, better infrastructure coordination, and dynamic land-use strategies.
The Hindu
21-06-2025
- The Hindu
Nellore Municipal Corporation cracks whip on illegal layouts
Nellore Municipal Corporation (NMC) officials have initiated a special drive to remove illegal layouts and unauthorised constructions across the city. They demolished unauthorised constructions in four layouts, including Garden City Extension in Ambapuram, Sri Sai Brundavanam Smart City Phase A&B in Gudipallipadu, and Sri Sai Nagar Phase-I and II in the city. As part the drive, the officials of Directorate of Town and Country Planning (DTCP), Regional Deputy Director of Town and Country Planning (RDDTP), Urban Local Body (ULB) and Urban Development Authority (UDA) have been jointly conducting the raids at various layouts in the city. Based on the complaints received at the DTCP office, the NMC officials identified the illegal layout and started demolishing unauthorised constructions this week. According to Andhra Pradesh Layout Rules, 2017, NMC has issued guidelines to the Registrar and Electricity Department not to register such properties and provide them electricity. In a public notice, the NMC advised the property buyers not to purchase any plot in unauthorised layouts as the government will not give building permissions and other approvals for basic facilities such as drinking water and electricity. It also warned the builders and developers of stern action against illegal constructions under A.P. Municipal Corporation Act, 1955. NMC Commissioner Y.O. Nandan directed the planning secretaries to monitor the construction of new buildings within their ward secretariat limits and file chargesheets on those constructed in violation of building permissions. He suggested to personally serve court summons to the building owners of the illegal structures. Mr. Nandan further asked the secretaries to identify the unauthorised layouts at the construction stage itself and bring them to the notice of higher authorities. He directed them to respond to the building applications in their DPMS logins within 24 hours and take appropriate action, and also assured to resolve the issues received at the public grievance redressal platform within stipulated time.
Hindustan Times
20-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Gurugram seeks policy to audit older group housing units
The Gurugram district administration and the department of town and country planning (DTCP) have sought intervention from higher authorities to frame a policy for conducting structural audits of existing group housing societies, effectively halting the ongoing audit process. Officials said the move follows legal, financial, and procedural challenges encountered during the audits already conducted. In 2022, the Haryana government had directed structural audits following the collapse of a tower at Chintels Paradiso in Sector 109, which claimed two lives. Since then, 15 group housing societies have undergone structural audits, but the process has exposed the absence of a statutory framework to support such inspections. A senior DTCP official said that the district committee overseeing the audits has encountered several legal hurdles. 'There is no statutory framework defining how structural audits of older group housing societies should be conducted, or who is responsible. The process has been constrained by the absence of guidelines about roles, responsibilities, and funding,' the official said, requesting anonymity. The committee has now decided to pause the process and seek a formal policy from the state government outlining procedures, defining stakeholder obligations—including government agencies, builders, and homebuyers—and providing clarity on cost-sharing mechanisms. In one instance, a complaint from a homeowner in a condominium in Sector 104 was dismissed by the committee, which stated it lacked the authority to intervene in builder-buyer disputes governed by individual agreements. The committee noted that disagreements about construction quality or repairs must be resolved through mechanisms outlined in the Builder-Buyer Agreement (BBA). DTCP officials said that audits so far were conducted through empanelled consultants, with costs borne by developers. However, many issues surfaced regarding cost distribution, standard operating procedures, and resistance from stakeholders. While the district had later decided that audit costs for 23 additional societies would be shared equally between developers and homebuyers, the absence of legal backing led to delays and disputes, often stalling the audits altogether. Officials added that while a policy exists for the structural audit of newly constructed societies, an equivalent framework for older societies is urgently needed. In a meeting on May 23, the district committee, chaired by the deputy commissioner, formally recommended that DTCP Haryana frame statutory guidelines to mandate structural audits for existing group housing societies across the state.
Time of India
16-06-2025
- Time of India
250 homes on govt radar for building code violations in Gurgaon's Sushant Lok 3
Gurgaon: Department of town and country planning (DTCP) has intensified its crackdown on unauthorised constructions and illegal commercial activities in residential colonies under its 'office on the spot' campaign. A 12-member enforcement team, led by district town planner (enforcement) Amit Madholia, has served notices to nearly 250 houses in Sushant Lok 3 for violating building norms and land use regulations. Madholia said, "We have asked for a reply within seven days. If responses from these 250 properties are unsatisfactory, restoration orders will be issued followed by sealing actions." The notices were served on Friday following a detailed six-hour-long survey in A, B and C blocks. During the survey, DTCP teams clicked photographic evidence and signed notices on-site to speed up the legal process. Madholia told TOI, "The objective of this campaign is to address multiple complaints in one go by surveying entire blocks, thereby saving time and ensuring faster enforcement." During the inspection, officials identified several residential properties being misused for commercial purposes such as real estate offices, guest houses, beauty parlours, dental clinics, yoga centres and salons. Alongside, numerous cases of unauthorised construction were found, including rooms built in stealth parking areas, servant quarters in zoning areas, covered cut-outs and illegal structures erected on rooftops. The initiative follows similar action in Sushant Lok 2 last week, where around 150 properties were served notices. Many homeowners have since started removing unauthorised structures, particularly those created in parking zones. DCTP officials said strict directions have been given to residents against any deviation from approved building plans. DTCP already took similar action in DLF 1 to 5 and is now widening its net to other residential areas witnessing growing commercial activity. According to Madholia, this misuse not only violates zoning regulations but also disrupts the residential character and infrastructure of these colonies. The department has clarified that no illegal construction or commercial operation in residential premises will be tolerated. Officials have urged residents to either stop commercial operations or regularise constructions as per norms. Those who fail to comply face sealing, fines, or even demolition orders in the coming weeks.
