A number of educational institutions in Vellore district have come under the scanner for flouting building norms. Many have failed to obtain permission for buildings from town planning authorities.
In a bid to regulate construction of buildings across the district, authorities have now embarked on a drive to crackdown on unauthorised buildings.
Sealed
Last week, the officials of the Directorate of Town and Country Planning (DTCP), Vellore region had closed and sealed the principal’s room and office room located inside an unauthorised building of Kennedy College of Education near Gudiyatham.
The DTCP has issued notices to 162 educational institutions in Vellore and Tiruvannamalai districts for failing to obtain technical permission for buildings.
Sources said this included 13 engineering colleges, 22 polytechnic institutions, 32 B.Ed colleges, 19 arts and science colleges and a few ITI institutions in Vellore district. Schools came under a separate segment.
“The directorate issued the notices during March and this is the final notice for the educational institutions. Notices were also issued in 2012, 2013 and 2014 but several institutions failed to get back,” said the source.
Now, the educational institutions have been given 30 days time for reply. “A check list has been sent to all institutions. They need to submit the information,” he added,
If the institutions fail to reply, they will be issued a 24-hour notice. Following this, officials will seal the building if they fail to reply again.
Procedures
Granting permission for residential buildings of 4,000 square feet area – ground and first floor – and commercial buildings of 2,000 square feet area – ground and first floor – comes under the purview of local bodies.
Nod for residential, commercial and educational buildings within 25,000 square feet area and 15 m height should be obtained from Deputy Director, DTCP, Vellore region, while those above 25,000 square feet area and 15 metres height should obtain permission from DTCP, Chennai.
Officials said the institutions can apply to the respective panchayat president, who will in turn forward it to DTCP. Otherwise, they can apply directly to DTCP and the authorities will get the president’s remarks.
Commercial buildings are also being checked for violations.
