THIRUVANANTHAPURAM : Missing of files from the engineering section of Thiruvananthapuram Corporation has been cited among the reasons for the delay in getting building permits.“For the past eight years, I have been visiting the Corporation for a permit to build a house on my land,” said a city resident.

“But, due to a delay in approving the building permit, the construction is only half-way through. This is the third time I am attending the adalat. During my second visit, officers said almost everything is cleared and I will get approval in the next adalat. This adalat, officers claim they have lost my file and have asked me to apply afresh.” 

The Corporation on Wednesday conducted a town planning adalat to consider and approve long-pending applications. The council lounge was filled with people who were denied building permits, with around 94 applications registered in the adalat.“First, I was denied permit stating my file was lost. After applying again, issues related to government regulation was cited as reasons for denial.

Now, they have come up with a new reason, stating the land falls within the government’s road widening area. Multi-level buildings get sanction at the same location but poor people like us are denied our rights,” said I M Ali, a Poojappura resident, who attended the adalat to get a building permit for his shop and to apply for a licence.

By evening, all cases were considered. Among the 78 applications settled were 34 cases of building TC number, 10 cases of allotting UA number and 17 files related to building permits. While four applications have been forwarded for approval related to government regulations, four were kept for further clarification, five sent for town planning investigation and four applications were rejected.

Mayor V K Prasanth, Corporation secretary L S Deepa, town planning committee chairperson Palayam Rajan, PWD standing committee chairperson S Pushpalata, corporation engineer M V Rajan and other staff from the engineering section were among those who attended the adalat.