DoE vs CMDA: Will Adaiaru be saved?
The construction of tall buildings in the coastal regulatory zone along the Adyar river is worrying the Department of Environment, which has asked the CMDA to explain why builders were given the go-ahead.
It seems that the Department of Environment is more than a little irritated that it was not informed about the decision to allow the high-rise buildings to come up in the vicinity. Under the rules, no building can be put for 100 metres on either side of the river. The DoE has called for a meeting with CMDA officials to discuss the issue.
The section of Adyar river from the Maraimalar Nagar Bridge to the area where it joins the sea used to be a paradise for migratory birds. But development of multi-storeyed buildings has left no trace of the vegetation that was a hallmark of the area. The CMDA has promised action if any violation is found in the newly constructed buildings.
I’ll believe that when I see it! Land in MRC Nagar which we were told was a preserved backwater study area, has been filled in and a sign for Sun TV put up over it – do you think they will ask for permission to build? I laugh whenever it rains, because the Sun TV property fills up like a lake, just as it was meant to — but I’m sure they will fill it in eventually. With so much money at stake, no one cares one bit for the environment.
that the CMDA is promising action on building that have already been built in violation of rules is in itself a poor sign of their alertness.