The Kerala Coastal Zone Management Authority’s (KCZMA) failure to act effectively to curb Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) violations in Chilavannoor, including that of real estate company DLF, has come into sharp focus following the High Court order relating to the demolition of DLF structures constructed in violation of CRZ norms.
The Authority failed even to send a legal notice to DLF months after it was confirmed that the building had come up in violation of the guidelines.
The debate over the alleged violations of the DLF goes back to 2009 when the 40th meeting of the authority took note of the developments. Later, the 62nd meeting of the committee held this year had appointed a three-member committee to look into the allegations. The panel, which submitted its report in July this year, had also concluded that the building came up in gross violation of the guidelines.
Baby John, a member of the authority, said the court order had come as a setback for the KCZMA. According to him, the authority failed to act against the CRZ violations in the area on time and the court order against DLF stands testimony to this failure. Following the court order, a situation has emerged in which KCZMA would be compelled to act against all the violations, he said.
Besides the violations in Chilavannoor area, there were a few violations in Kozhikode and other areas, against which the authority should act, he said.
The internal squabbles within the authority led to the delay in issuing notices to the violators, including the builder, said a member of the authority. It was after much persuasions and repeated reminders that the report of the sub-committee was included in the agenda of the panel, he said.
The meeting of the authority scheduled for December 15 is expected to discuss the court order and take a final call on its earlier decision to initiate legal action against DLF builders and other violators.
Though the KCZMA was expected to meet on Monday, December 8, the meeting was postponed as the Principal Secretary, Science and Technology, who holds the charge of the chairman of the authority, demanded more time to study the agenda of the meeting, authority sources said.
