Over 100 unauthorised commercial units functioning out of houses in Panampilly Nagar were closed down on Friday.
The Kochi Corporation sealed the shops following a directive from the High Court of Kerala. It was on a petition filed by some residents of the area against the illegal conversion of houses in the notified residential area that the High Court asked the civic body to close down the shops.
The corporation had served notices to 245 shop owners for functioning without valid licences after the court directed the closure of the units. The traders had also sought a hearing with the civic body after being served with the notice. The shops that failed to respond to the notice were closed down in the first phase, said a civic official.
Incidentally, the Corporation Council had on Thursday passed a resolution to convert Panampilly Nagar into a mixed zone. Several councillors who took part in the discussion pointed out that Panampilly Nagar, which was once a residential zone, had become the hub of commercial activities in the city. They were of the view that the idea of reconverting the area into a residential zone was not a viable proposition.
The council suggested that the State government re-designate the area as a mixed zone where commercial as well as residential units could co-exist.
Incidentally, the Advocates Commissioner appointed by the High Court had reported that only a few firms were operating from the area with valid permits.
Barring minor altercations, the closure of the units went on smoothly. The civic body would continue with its action as directed by the High Court, said a civic official.
