In tune with the State government’s scheme to regularise unapproved layouts, the Tiruchi Corporation has so far generated revenue to the tune of ₹ 10 crore by way of development fee.
November 3 is the last date for regularising unapproved layouts and plots. As per the scheme, unapproved residential plots owned by individuals and unsold plots promoted by real estate developers will have to apply for regularisation by paying regularisation fee of ₹ 100 a sq.m and development fee of ₹ 500 a sq.m. Owners of plots on which buildings have been constructed also have to apply for regularisation. The Local Planning Authority approves the layouts after ensuring that the owners and promoters comply with rules.
The scheme was said to have received lukewarm response in the initial days. However, current indications suggest that it is picking up pace although it is not on the expected line. The special camps organised by the Tiruchi Corporation at various locations of the city has motivated the promoters of unapproved layouts to apply for regularisation to an extent. Moreover, the compulsion of submitting Non Objection Certificate (NoC) on plan and plot approval while registering plots has fuelled the promoters to apply of regularisation.
According to sources, the corporation has so far netted ₹ 10.32 crore on account of development charges from those who had applied for regularisation. As on Wednesday, it has approved 1,167 plots. Until the first week of September, the corporation had netted ₹ 6 crore. During the last one week alone, it has collected ₹ 4 crore. It has set a target of another ₹ 5 crore by the month end.
It is said that there are about 21,000 unapproved plots and 350 unapproved layouts in the city. Most of them are situated in the newly added wards of 61 to 65. Areas such as Kattur, Pappakurichi, Thiruverumbur, Keezha Kalkandarkottai, Ariyamangalam, K.K. Nagar, Edamalaipattipudur, Vayalur road, Woraiyur, Karumandapam and Puthur have many unapproved layouts and plots. There are unapproved plots in Srirangam too.
“There is a great scope for increasing the revenue. So far just 5% of owners and promoters of unapproved plots and layouts have come forward to utilise the special scheme announced by the government. They expect that the deadline will be extended. But, we expect that the government may come out with more stringent rules for registering plots. Hence, it is high time for owners of unapproved layouts and plots to get approval of them as soon as possible,” said a senior official of the Tiruchi Corporation.
