Latest news with #OpenSpaceReservation
The Hindu
22-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Activists call for strict measures so that green lung spaces can breathe effectively
In the wake of shrinking urban green spaces, activists have called for a proper identification, mapping and fencing of the areas earmarked for parks and Open Space Reservation land so that they are used for public purposes. They stressed the need to place information boards regarding the purpose of the lands in order to protect these and ensure it was used only for public purposes. If these spaces were left unguarded, then the land could be encroached upon or the land could turn into dumping yards, they said. Advocate R. Karunanidhi said as per Rules, the land developers should earmark 10% of the total extent as 'Open Space Reservation' land to be used for public purposes such as public parks and playgrounds. In March, four residents of Ponmani Garden North in Uthangudi in Madurai had filed a public interest litigation petition before the High Court seeking to restrain authorities from putting up any construction on the space earmarked for a park. The residents said the land in survey numbers under Uthangudi village was formed into a layout and it was approved by the authorities. The area that was specifically earmarked for a park was intended for recreational use of the residents. The park was used by the public, particularly by children for playing, and by elderly citizens for walking and relaxation. Under these circumstances, the residents said Corporation authorities had undertaken construction activities for a proposed pumping station. The residents said the loss of a dedicated public park will severely impact the quality of life in the locality and deprive them of an essential community space. The court ordered the status quo be maintained. After the Corporation told the court that the place earmarked for the park has not been used for any other purpose, the petition was closed. The High Court has been hearing a number of such petitions to restrain the authorities from using lands earmarked for parks for any other purposes. The court also directed the authorities to take necessary steps to maintain these parks. The Tamil Nadu Parks, Play-fields and Open space (Preservation and Regulation) Act, 1959 was enacted in the interest of the public to preserve and regulate parks, play-fields and open spaces, the court had observed. In January, to a query raised at the Madurai Corporation Council meeting with regard to the open space reservation and the space allocated for parks, the authorities said a zone wise list/maps earmarking such spaces was prepared. However, AIADMK Councillor Solairaja said they were yet to get such a list. In Dindigul, CPI (M) Councillor S. Ganesan alleged that a prime land in R.M. Colony earmarked as a children's playground has been encroached upon. He pointed out that as per records the land was earmarked as a children's playground at the time of formation of housing plot. He said the land was encroached upon by influential people. Though this was brought to the notice of the authorities, appropriate steps have not been taken to remove the encroachment so far, he said, adding that he had also served notices to the authorities. He said he will be filing a public interest litigation petition before the High Court in this regard. He pointed out that not just in R.M. Colony in the district, but in several places such spaces had been encroached upon. Offering a solution to prevent such incidents, he said there should be regular monitoring of such lands. The authorities should fence the land and place boards with information for the purpose it is intended to be used, he said. Activist V. P. Manikandan of Madurai said if necessary monitoring steps were not taken, such open spaces would turn into parking lots, waste dumping yards and also could be encroached upon. He added that awareness was required. While precautionary measures have been suggested by activists, the district administrations are doing their bit to improve green spaces in the respective districts. Madurai Corporation officials said sapling planting drives have been initiated to improve the urban lung spaces. In Dindigul, a cleanliness drive has been initiated and the authorities inspected the maintenance work being carried out in a park in R.M. Colony. Similarly, in Thoothukudi district, the Corporation had launched a green initiative through sapling plantation drives and park restoration works. Waste materials and invasive species were being removed as part of the initiative. The District Legal Services Authorities in Madurai, Dindigul, Theni, Ramanathapuram and Sivaganga have also undertook mega sapling plantation drives and awareness programmes recently. Recently, Sivaganga District Collector Asha Ajith's initiative to clean up water bodies and plant saplings around them has been getting huge response from philanthropists thus showing that people are concerned about preserving the eco-system. A senior official in Sivaganga said that governments alone cannot achieve results. With public participation, not only water bodies, but every single public place - be it in residential or commercial locations - can bring about a substantial change in preserving the environment.
The Hindu
12-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
HC directs Madurai Corporation to demolish temple constructed unauthorisedly on OSR land
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has directed Madurai Corporation to demolish a temple constructed unauthorisedly on an Open Space Reservation (OSR) land in Madurai. The court was hearing the petition filed by R. Mayilsamy of Madurai who had sought a direction to the authorities to remove the unauthorised construction under the provisions of Tamil Nadu Town and Country Planning Act. The petitioner complained that a temple was constructed illegally by some residents of an apartment complex on the OSR land in New Vilangudi. A Division Bench of Justices S.M. Subramaniam and A.D. Maria Clete observed that OSR land cannot be allowed to be encroached upon even by the residents of the apartment complex. The OSR lands are to be maintained in the manner contemplated under the Act and the Rules in force. The court observed that it is clear that the temple had been constructed without permission and was unauthorised. The OSR land had been utilised for construction of a temple in violation of the Act and the Rules. The Supreme Court and the High Courts have time and again reiterated that OSR lands cannot be encroached upon by the resident or any other person. It is to be maintained by the authorities in the manner contemplated under the Act and the Rules, the court observed. Since the temple has been constructed unauthorisedly in the OSR land of the apartment complex and in violation of the Rules, the structure has to be demolished and the OSR land is to be maintained scrupulously in accordance with the provisions of the Act and the Rules. The court directed Madurai Corporation to demolish the unauthorised construction and restore the land to its original position as per the approved building plan in four weeks. The matter was posted for reporting compliance on July 2.
The Hindu
24-04-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
AIADMK, CPI (M) oppose move to hike advance payments for water tax and UGD at council meeting in Madurai Corporation
Expressing their displeasure, AIADMK and CPI (M) councillors urged the Madurai Corporation to withdraw the resolution to hike advance payment for water tax and under ground drainage (UGD) here on Thursday. As the resolution was read at the council meeting that was chaired by Mayor Indrani Pon Vasanth in the presence of Deputy Mayor T. Nagarajan and Commissioner Chitra Vijayan at Anna Maaligai, the Councillors belonging to both the parties stood up and registered their protest. The people were already burdened due to hike in prices of many services including essential services. The Corporation should not burden the common man, said Vijaya Councillor CPI (M). The AIADMK Councillor and leader in the Council Solai Raja said that the Corporation should lay the roads swiftly as many stretches were in a bad shape. The road cutting charges for laying underground cables or for other works had also been raised by five per cent. This too should be dropped forthwith, he stressed. DMK zone Chairperson Vasuki said that the Councillors should be given ₹25 lakh each for spending in their respective wards in the lines of MP/MLA funds. This would help the members to plan and implement schemes for the people without hassle. She also wanted to know the reason for not opening the electric crematoriums built at Anaiyur, Melamadai and Naganakulam though they were ready for use. Saravana Bhuvaneshwari (DMK) urged the Mayor to spell out if the Open Space Reservation (OSR) land in the name of the Corporation had been transferred in the Commissioner's name. By delaying, she feared it may be encroached upon by people and then the administration would find it tough to evict the encroachers in future. Pandiselvi (DMK) said that when the Councillors in Tiruchi and Coimbatore Corporations were given ₹50 lakh each to spend in their wards, the administration here in Madurai provided only ₹25 lakh. This could be enhanced to at least ₹40 lakh each, she said. Pass for celestial wedding When a majority of the members sought the Corporation to make arrangements to issue pass so that they could attend the celestial wedding at Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple as part of the Chitirai festival next month, the Mayor said that even she had never been to the temple on the occasion in the past. 'I see the wedding being performed on TV,' she quipped. Councillor Baskaran, who represents the temple ward, said that though he managed to get a pass, he was stopped by the authorities last year. As the Councillors wanted to attend both the celestial wedding and Lord Kallazhagar's entry in Vaigai river, they urged the Corporation to get them the passes for both the events.
The Hindu
22-04-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Coimbatore Corporation to expedite OSR land conversion process
The Coimbatore Corporation has decided to speed up the process of transferring Open Space Reservation (OSR) lands to its name. An integrated meeting was held on Monday involving officials from the Corporation, Municipality, Registration Department, Local Planning Authority, and Revenue Department to discuss issues related to bulk subdivision, OSR land subdivision, and rejections under the Online Patta Transfer (OPT) system in rural areas. The discussion centred on rejections made by tahsildars for various reasons. Local bodies were directed to rectify and resubmit the rejected cases and to prepare revised layout plans earmarking OSR lands, where necessary. Corporation Commissioner M. Sivaguru Prabakaran said that the OSR name transfer process would be completed quickly. He said that in cases of encroachment, removal would be initiated, and surveyors would be directed to submit the required documents afresh. He noted that while only about 200 OSR lands had earlier been transferred to the Corporation's name, the current figure stood at around 1,600 out of an estimated total of 2,500 parcels. As per data compiled by the Corporation, 464 OSR land title change applications were rejected. Reasons cited include the absence of gift deeds, the presence of encroachments, joint patta holdings, attempts to issue individual pattas online based on seniority, and applications being returned without proper scrutiny.
