‘Demolish Olive Beach bungalows by Saturday’

CHENNAI: A day after TNIE exposed construction of five bungalows at Olive Beach in Muttukadu in violation of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) notifications, the officials of Environment Department visited the spot on Thursday and issued notices to the owners to demolish the structures before Saturday.

Last month, the Madras High Court had directed the member secretary (in-charge) of Mamallapuram Local Planning Authority, Chengalpattu, in coordination with the TN Coastal Zone Management Authority (TNSCZMA), represented by its member secretary, along with the collector of Chengalpattu, to carry out the demolition of the super structures as expeditiously as possible and also remove the boulders that were placed by the owners to protect the property from sea erosion.

Also, the court had directed the SPs of Chengalpattu and Kancheepuram districts to provide police protection for carrying out the demolition works. On Thursday, following the TNIE expose, Department of Environment officials visited Muttukadu where fresh constructions are going on in survey number 107 and 108. These structures are coming-up within 10 metres from the High Tide Line (HTL) of Bay of Bengal. 

As per the CRZ Notification, 2011, the area up to 200 metres from the HTL in case of seafront is to be earmarked as “no development zone”, and no construction shall be permitted except for repairs of existing authorised structures like dwelling units of traditional coastal communities. 

KV Giridhar, director of Department of Environment and member secretary of TNSCZMA, confirmed to TNIE that officials have inspected the area. “Violations were noticed. Appropriate action will be taken.”
Meanwhile, a comprehensive study to assess the impact of hotels, resorts and other recreational activities on the coast is underway.