CMDA proposal to convert green belt to industrial zone sparks opposition

C Shivakumar

Chennai:

Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority’s plan to reclassify green belt to industrial use zone in Thiruverkadu has been opposed by green activists and planners who term it as ‘illegal’.

CMDA sources said that there has been a proposal to reclassify plots in Noombal Village in Ambattur Taluk and deleting the entire area marked for green belt in Thirverkadu area detailed development plan.

M G Devasahayam of Citizen's Alliance for Sustainable Living (SUSTAIN) termed the move as ‘Illegal” and said it should be done after public consultation.

He said that the green cover in Chennai Metropolitan Area is only three per cent and if CMDA starts converting green zone to industrial zone then the city will be reduced to a concrete jungle.

Interestingly, Devasahayam is also opposing the proposal for Greater Chennai Area as he feels this would prove a threat to green belt.

Justifying the move, CMDA sources said that detailed development plans was developed for Noombal village and Thiruverkadu area before the Second Master Plan as such there is a need to reclassify it. “Noombal village lies on Poonamallee bypass road. We will be reclassifying it as the whole area has been developed,” a CMDA source said. Interestingly, it is believed the issue is likely to be taken up at the authority meeting.

Former chief planner of CMDA K R Thooyavan said that reclassification of green belt could be done only after public consultation. He said without public consultation, green belt can’t be converted into industrial zone. To a query on whether the proposal to reclassify green belt to industrial use can be done on suo motto basis as is being proposed by CMDA, the former chief planner said, “That can’t be done on suo motto basis. Public consultation is necessary,” he added.

Interestingly activists indicated that green belt should be safeguarded rather being converted into concrete jungle. “The green belt was earmarked to protect the city from pollution. It was earmarked after several consultation and what is the need to convert it to industrial zone,” said Deivasahayam.