Carnley84
01-05-2009, 11:38 PM
From up there in the sky, Kerala is almost a green carpet, with rivers and streams meandering their way into the sea. To those who cross the State's borders by train on their journey back home from their far-away workplaces, the sudden change in the terrain is as refreshing as the memories of childhood in gay abandon. But as the plane lands or the train draws into the many stations dotting the State and the traveller gets into city, be it Kozhikode, Kochi or Thiruvananthapuram, the reverie ends and stark reality, constructed tastelessly in brick and mortar, hits the eye. Welcome to Kerala, where unauthorised construction is posing a threat to planned development of cities and towns.
Across Kerala, commercial and residential complexes are gobbling up prime locations, at times in violation of the provisions of the Kerala Building Rules and zoning regulation norms. Besides causing a real estate boom that is reflected in prices that have shot through the roofs, the new construction of Kerala flats (http://www.jairajbuilders.com/) patterns have also left scientific space management and infrastructure development a major casualty of so-called development.
Rampant reclamation of paddy fields and wetlands is threatening to trigger ecological problems. Supply of power, drinking water and drainage facilities do not seem to figure in the priorities of the builders. Quite often, imposing structures are raised at the cost of precious road space. Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Kozhikode have already started experiencing drinking water shortage and an impending power crisis cannot be wished away for too long. Frenetic activity in the construction sector is normally taken to be an indicator of economic growth. But, if anything, the present trends indicate that life in the three cities and most preferred destinations of the builders is likely to become miserable within a decade.
Non-Resident Indians and wealthy businessmen being potential buyers, prime locations are being acquired in cities for flats and commercial complexes while suburbs are targeted to construct villas. Zoning regulations and other norms for development in structure plans does not bother builders much. Many buildings do not have the mandatory parking space, frontage or setback and the finished structures seldom comply with the approved layout. Plans are being altered and parking lots converted into shops in anticipation of securing special exemption from the Government.
When civic authorities turn a blind eye to such blatant violations of major builders, the latter escape punitive measures. But individuals who construct houses on a shoestring budget are hounded and heavily penalised for even minor plan alterations, whether or not having a bearing on the development plans of the locality.
Across Kerala, commercial and residential complexes are gobbling up prime locations, at times in violation of the provisions of the Kerala Building Rules and zoning regulation norms. Besides causing a real estate boom that is reflected in prices that have shot through the roofs, the new construction of Kerala flats (http://www.jairajbuilders.com/) patterns have also left scientific space management and infrastructure development a major casualty of so-called development.
Rampant reclamation of paddy fields and wetlands is threatening to trigger ecological problems. Supply of power, drinking water and drainage facilities do not seem to figure in the priorities of the builders. Quite often, imposing structures are raised at the cost of precious road space. Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Kozhikode have already started experiencing drinking water shortage and an impending power crisis cannot be wished away for too long. Frenetic activity in the construction sector is normally taken to be an indicator of economic growth. But, if anything, the present trends indicate that life in the three cities and most preferred destinations of the builders is likely to become miserable within a decade.
Non-Resident Indians and wealthy businessmen being potential buyers, prime locations are being acquired in cities for flats and commercial complexes while suburbs are targeted to construct villas. Zoning regulations and other norms for development in structure plans does not bother builders much. Many buildings do not have the mandatory parking space, frontage or setback and the finished structures seldom comply with the approved layout. Plans are being altered and parking lots converted into shops in anticipation of securing special exemption from the Government.
When civic authorities turn a blind eye to such blatant violations of major builders, the latter escape punitive measures. But individuals who construct houses on a shoestring budget are hounded and heavily penalised for even minor plan alterations, whether or not having a bearing on the development plans of the locality.