CAG points to lapses in approval to 19 buildings by civic body

Putting Kochi Municipal Corporation in dock, Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has found that the civic body has issued permits for construction of 19 buildings by the side of backwaters without prior approval of Kerala Coastal Zone Management Authority (CZMA) and getting environmental clearance.
A CAG report on Local Self-Government Institutions of March 2013 tabled in the Assembly today said out of the 19 buildings by the side of Chilavanoor backwaters some of which were multi-storied having floors upto 21 were allowed to be constructed violating Coastal Regulation Zone norms.
In respect of 13 buildings, CZMA informed the Corporation about the violations and in one case, construction continued unimpeded even though the corporation directed the party not to proceed with the work, the report said.

It also said constructions were made without the concurrence of Heritage Commission in places like conservation zone of Fort Kochi.
Violations of Kerala Municipality Building Rules, structure plan, compromising on safety and security were noticed in the issue of building permits which adversely affected the ecology and heritage character of the area, the report said.
The Corporation could not properly exercise control over the construction activities in its area as it lacked a system for evolving a centralized database related to building permits, the report added.