Lax CMDA led to Steel Mkt Mess

C Shivakumar
Chennai:

The Iron and Steel market which was completed 25 years ago did not
have sale deed till 2013, sources told Express.

The delay in shifting the traders to the Iron and Steel Market at
Sathangadu, abutting Ennore Express, should have happened five years
ago if not for the delay by CMDA officials in getting the pattas for
the land besides failure in implementing Tamil Nadu Specified
Commodities Markets (Regulation of Location) Act, 1996.

As per the act, the wholesale trade of any specified commodity shall
be carried out in market area only.

Interestingly, traders say the real issue was delay in allotting the
plots. “Not only that, CMDA was demanding maintenance fee for a market
which is not put to use properly. Why should a trader pay when he has
not availed the infrastructure,” S A Azeez, vice-president South India
Iron and Hardware Merchants Association said.

He also said that CMDA failed to provide sale deed thus resulting in a
fear of uncertainty among traders. And what is more now they have put
up a barricade and collecting toll from us, says Azeez.

Sources say the project was implemented having an idea of demand and
supply. The idea to decongest the Central Business District as a
follow up of Master Plan strategy was conceived in 1989 and the
project was completed in 1991 by Chennai Metropolitan Development
Authority at a cost of Rs 17 crore.

The project aimed to provide a modern and functionally efficient whole
sale market for the city traders in Iron and Steel and public in
general. The project extends over an extent of 203 acres comprising
137.50 acres of Government land, 45 acres of  Industries Department
land belonging to Industrial department and 20.50 acres of private
land.

Out of 850 plots of varying size (from one ground to three grounds)
developed for the traders, about 629 plots have been allotted.
Interestingly, now hardly 10 per cent of them are functioning.

Azeez says the fault lies with CMDA in failing to provide sale deed.
Most of those who were allotted  the plots have migrated to Vichur and
Andal Kuppam in Manali, he added.

If CMDA issues sale deed then we can think of returning to the place,
Azeez said.

Sources said the patta for the government land in the project, which
was implemented in 1991, was partially transferred to CMDA in 2013
only. Sources said that patta has been obtained for Government land
measuring an extent of 137.50 acres only on February 12, 2013 besides
patta for an extent of 20.50 acres private land was obtained on April,
26, 2013 from Madhavaram Taluk office. The 45 acres of Industries
department land has been alienated recently.

Interestingly, the market management committee in Sathangadu does not
have a district revenue officer as chief administrative officer.
Instead a superintending engineer is now looking after the issue which
is against the spirit of the act, sources added.