The Hindu Business Line : Ernakulam initiates drive against encroachment

CLEARING WAY: Constructions on encroached land along Kochi's arterial MG Road being demolished by the district authorities on Tuesday. — Vipin Chandran

Kochi May 22 As a follow up on the drive against encroachment in the State, the Ernakulam District Administration has come down heavily on the encroachments on the MG Road, the commercial lifeline of the city on Tuesday.

The administration has demolished about eight encroachments of various business establishments on the two sides of the MG Road in the morning. The demolition was carried out after conducting a survey by the administration. Adequate notice was given to encroachers before starting the work.

It is pointed out that more than 100 cases of encroachments had been identified in the survey conducted by the officials on both sides of MG Road. The authorities served 24-hour statutory notice on 35 establishments under Section 11(3) of the Kerala Land Conservancy Act after confirming the encroachments based on the survey.

It is estimated that encroachments detected on the MG Road alone would be worth crores considering the land price of Rs 25-30 lakh per cent in the area. Apart from this, large-scale encroachments have also taken place on footpaths in the name of beautification of building establishments.

Industry protests

However, the trade and industry has strongly protested against the demolition drive in the city, saying that the business establishments have not been given sufficient time by the authorities to vacate the occupancy.

Mr E.S. Jose, President of the Kerala Chamber of Commerce and Industry, pointed out that the chamber was not at all against any sort of eviction from encroached land. But the officials here have initiated a "Munnar Model" eviction drive, which is not at all justifiable, he added. The trade and industry, he said, is extending all cooperation to the administration in improving the basic infrastructure in the city.

Meanwhile, the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has come out with a statement condemning the Munnar encroachments saying that nobody should be allowed to be the custodian of any state-owned resources. However, the chamber felt that there should be clear distinction between cases of wilful encroachments and instances of cheating by a well-knit nexus of responsible agencies.

The Cochin Chamber of Commerce and Industry has also expressed concern on the situation in the aftermath of the demolition drive.

While there cannot be any condonation for encroachment and illegal construction, at the same time, due process of law must be meticulously followed. There have been many instances when demolition has been undertaken not by the lawful authority. However, justifiable, when law is taken into own hands will create a situation of anarchy, it said.

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