The Hindu : Front Page : Corporation to prepare report on OSR lands

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Sunday, Dec 30, 2007
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Corporation to prepare report on OSR lands

Staff Reporter

— PHOTO: V. GANESAN

LUNG SPACE: OSR lands maintained as parks and playgrounds provide the much needed breathing space for the city.

Chennai: The Chennai Corporation will prepare a document on open space reservation (OSR) lands in the city and what they are being used for, Mayor M. Subramanian said on Saturday.

The Land and Estates department of the Corporation will prepare the report and place it before the Council at its next meeting in January, he said. The Corporation recently recovered OSR land under private use in Shenoy Nagar.

Councillors’ charge

At the Corporation Council meeting held at Ripon Building, several councillors alleged that private institutions had taken over OSR lands belonging to the Corporation.

OSR lands are meant to be maintained as open spaces. The concept is that a percentage of large plots should be kept free of construction to ensure breathing space for the city.

Corporation Council Opposition floor leader Saidai P. Ravi cited a case of OSR land belonging to the Corporation being used as a parking lot by a premier private hospital. Parking fees were also being collected by a private agency.

Councillor R. Prakash, who is also Town Planning Standing Committee Chairman, said OSR land near the Nathamuni junction in Villivakkam had been encroached upon. After the Council meeting, Mr. Subramanian and Corporation Commissioner Rajesh Lakhoni told reporters that OSR lands could be developed as parks and playgrounds. They could also be used as parking spaces.

However, some councillors said converting OSR lands into parking facilities would allow private institutions to take undue advantage.

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