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Identify unsafe buildings, Balaraju tells officials

Thursday, 23 December 2010 04:47 administrator
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The Hindu      23.12.2010

Identify unsafe buildings, Balaraju tells officials

Staff Reporter
Lays stress on approval by structural engineers and occupancy certificate

Unauthorised constructions on hill-slopes should be checked, says Minister

Efforts being made to complete the JNNURM houses by April

VISAKHAPATNAM: Tribal Welfare Minister P. Balaraju on Wednesday directed VUDA and GVMC to see to it that safety and quality were maintained in construction of buildings in view of the recent incidents of retaining walls' collapse at Marripalem. Besides identifying buildings that lacked safety, unauthorised constructions on hill-slopes should be checked and precautionary measures taken to prevent loss of life and property, the Minister said.

At a review meeting on GVMC, housing and JNNURM here on Wednesday, he laid particular emphasis on approval by structural engineers and occupancy certificate.

Mr. Balaraju wanted steps to be taken to prevent loss to owners as their apartments became uninhabitable after the walls collapsed. Builders should be also involved in finding a way out.

Directive to officials

He directed officials to exempt JNNURM houses involved in litigation and allot the other units. He expressed unhappiness at houses constructed by the housing corporation from 2008-09 not being ready for occupation because infrastructure was not provided.

District Collector J. Syamala Rao said all necessary action would be taken and the issue (of wall collapse) was discussed with the higher-ups. He directed the Town Planning officials to identify unauthorised constructions and those likely to result in untoward incidents.

Municipal Commissioner V.N. Vishnu said all efforts were being made to complete the JNNURM houses by April so as to get first position in the country.

Mayor Pulusu Janardhana Rao, MLA P. Ramesh Babu, MLC D.V. Suryanarayana Raju, Deputy Mayor K. Dorabbai, District Library Organisation Chairman Thota Nagesh, Additional Joint Collector S. Satyanarayana and Chief City Planner D. Venkataratnam participated.

 

LDF seeks review of building rules

Thursday, 23 December 2010 04:17 administrator
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The Hindu     23.12.2010

LDF seeks review of building rules

Special Correspondent


Vaikom Viswan says LDF will launch campaign to publicise the good work done by the government.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The State committee of the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) has asked the government to review its decision to make the municipal building rules applicable to panchayats as well and ensure that the rules do not prevent construction of homes by the marginal sections of the population.

Briefing reporters after the LDF panel meeting here on Wednesday, front convener Vaikom Viswan said the government had also been told to review the procedures for issuing building licences and provision of numbers for houses and ensure that all eligible persons were given title deeds for the land held by them by January-end. In case there was any delay in issuing licences, they should be given documents to show possession.

Steps should be taken to ensure that those who own small pieces of land which used to be paddy fields long ago were not denied the opportunity to construct houses.

Revenue and Local Self-Government Ministers should also sit together to provide title deeds to those living on government ‘poramboke' lands across the State.

The excess land with Harrison Malayalam Plantations should be taken over and distributed to the landless.

The Kannan Devan Hill land question should be resolved at the earliest so that the development of the Munnar town was expedited.

The government should also take urgent steps to complete identification of Below Poverty Line (BPL) families and publish the list in January.

 

Praja Spandana faults VUDA, GVMC

Wednesday, 22 December 2010 05:07 administrator
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The Hindu       22.12.2010

Praja Spandana faults VUDA, GVMC

Staff Reporter

VISAKHAPATNAM: ‘Praja Spandana,' a forum for common cause and protection and promotion of public interest, has faulted Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority (VUDA) and Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation for the circumstances that led to the collapse of retaining walls at Marripalem VUDA Layout.

‘Praja Spandana' president C.S. Rao, who visited the apartments on Tuesday, said the uneven, hilly terrain was not fit enough for construction of structures, in particular for residential purpose, in view of the difficulty in laying the foundation. For preparing such layouts, VUDA was answerable, he said. The Town Planning wing of GVMC had to take the blame for approving the building plan without prior inspection and had to own full responsibility for the incidents.

 
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