Rise in number of houses has led to leaking UGD pipelines, garbage heaps
“There used to be barely 100 houses here till a few years ago. Now, there could be more than 700,” rued Subbanna, an 85-year-old long-time resident of Veera Madakari Nayaka Street atop Chamundi Hills.
Even as the environmentalists have their daggers drawn against the State government for taking up developmental works including construction of a multi-level parking lot to accommodate 600 cars and 50 buses and a commercial complex to house 116 shops atop Chamundi Hills, the number of houses atop the hillock, which draws a large number of tourists and pilgrims, is perceptibly increasing.
Even though the Chamundi Hills Gram Panchayat officials deny having issued building licenses, house construction activity appears to be going on unabated.
Illegal
“Only 80 to 90 houses, which were built a long time ago, are authorised. The rest had been built illegally”, said Poornima, Panchayat Development Officer of Chamundi Hills Gram Panchayat. During the last count, there were about 380 houses, she said.
“Whenever people approach us for a licence to build houses, we ask them to bring a no-objection certificate from Forest, Archaeology and Muzrai Departments. So, we have not issued any building licences. When we serve notices against illegal construction, pressure is brought upon us from higher-ups”, said Ms. Poornima.
Property tax
Chamundi Hills Gram Panchayat member Rathnamma, who admitted that the number of houses atop Chamundi Hills had increased several fold in the last few years, said property tax was being paid only by around 60 houses.
The increase in the number of houses has already brought pressure on the infrastructure, leading to leaking UGD pipelines and mounting heaps of garbage.
Ms. Poornima regretted that a survey of the land atop Chamundi Hills had not been taken up.
“It is up to the Revenue Department or the Forest Department to crack down on encroachment and illegal construction”, she said.
(Source: The Hindu)
“There used to be barely 100 houses here till a few years ago. Now, there could be more than 700,” rued Subbanna, an 85-year-old long-time resident of Veera Madakari Nayaka Street atop Chamundi Hills.
Even as the environmentalists have their daggers drawn against the State government for taking up developmental works including construction of a multi-level parking lot to accommodate 600 cars and 50 buses and a commercial complex to house 116 shops atop Chamundi Hills, the number of houses atop the hillock, which draws a large number of tourists and pilgrims, is perceptibly increasing.
Even though the Chamundi Hills Gram Panchayat officials deny having issued building licenses, house construction activity appears to be going on unabated.
Illegal
“Only 80 to 90 houses, which were built a long time ago, are authorised. The rest had been built illegally”, said Poornima, Panchayat Development Officer of Chamundi Hills Gram Panchayat. During the last count, there were about 380 houses, she said.
“Whenever people approach us for a licence to build houses, we ask them to bring a no-objection certificate from Forest, Archaeology and Muzrai Departments. So, we have not issued any building licences. When we serve notices against illegal construction, pressure is brought upon us from higher-ups”, said Ms. Poornima.
Property tax
Chamundi Hills Gram Panchayat member Rathnamma, who admitted that the number of houses atop Chamundi Hills had increased several fold in the last few years, said property tax was being paid only by around 60 houses.
The increase in the number of houses has already brought pressure on the infrastructure, leading to leaking UGD pipelines and mounting heaps of garbage.
Ms. Poornima regretted that a survey of the land atop Chamundi Hills had not been taken up.
“It is up to the Revenue Department or the Forest Department to crack down on encroachment and illegal construction”, she said.
(Source: The Hindu)
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