DTCP impleaded on PIL against encroachments of parks in layout

The Madras High Court today made the Directorate of Town and Country Planning (DTCP), party to a PIL seeking removal of encroachments in spaces reserved for parks and other public purposes, in layouts.
The first bench comprising Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice M Sundar passed the order on a PIL by an elected ward member of Perumbakkam Panchayat here.
The bench also impleaded Perumbakkam Town Panchayat and issued notice to the Revenue and Registration departments.
The petitioner alleged that three parks earmarked in a lay out in his village had been encroached by unknown persons and a compound wall constructed, preventing access for public.

He also submitted that a representation to the District Collector in this regard did not evoke any response.
The petitioner further stated that innocent property buyers who purchase apartments constructed on the reserved areas without being unaware of the facts may suffer heavy loss.
The petitioner prayed for a Court direction to the authorities to take immediate steps to remove encroachments in the reserved areas, in the layouts, and to erect boards carrying details of the space allotted for parks and public purposes to protect property buyers.