Realty firm Emaar MGF under CMDA scanner for Moulivakkam like violations

C Shivakumar/ ENS

Chennai:

Realty firm Emaar MGF, which was under the CBI scanner for
construction of Commonwealth Games Village in New Delhi, is now facing
fresh trouble from Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA)
for additional construction of seven blocks of multi-storied building
in Tondiarpet.

CMDA sources told Express that Emaar MGF has been served lock and seal
and demolition notice for construction to deviation to approved plan
in size, location and spacing and some of columns removed which is
more or less similar in the case of Moulivakkam building collapse
during the additional constructions of seven blocks of multi-storied
buildings on Vaidyanatha Mudalali Street in Tondiarpet.

A Emaar MGF official confirmed that they have received the lock and
sealing notice on July 11, 2014 but refused to comment on the next
course of action.

Interestingly, CMDA had already given approval for constructing three
blocks (A Block –13 numbers, B Block – 2 numbers and C Block – three
numbers) for residential purposes. These have been completed and
partial completion certificate was obtained from enforcement cell of
CMDA.

However, it was the controversy surrounding revised planning
permission for additional construction of seven multi-storied building
blocks comprising stilt plus seven floors which put Emaar into
trouble.

 Interestingly, the plan to add seven blocks was already opposed by
one Anthony Clifford , who claims to be the co-owner of the property
along with Emaar MGF. His complaint petition was
forwarded by CBI to Housing and Urban Development department in 2011.
His contention was that he as well as 535 flat owners has not given
consent for change of the planning permit. But CMDA says Clifford is
only an agreement holder for sale and construction of the building on
the site.

In the petition Clifford has alleged that Emaar MGF is trying to tide
over the loss it suffered in the Commonwealth Games by selling the
land already sold to persons like him so that it can “make good crores
of rupees which have become payable to New Delhi government.

He has alleged that Emaar MGF has tried similar strategy to change the
agreement in Andhra Pradesh which is currently facing probe.

Surprisingly, CMDA processed the revised planning application and even
forwarded to government for approval in 2011 despite the petition
alleging that the issue is pending before the High Court. It is learnt
that CMDA defended its stance stating that it is not a party to the
dispute between the builder and owners association as such the file
was processed and planning permission issued.

Interestingly, three years later, Emaar renewed the planning
permission for additional construction of seven blocks on April 2014.
But the site inspection on July 3, 2014 and July 4, 2014 objected to
the seven blocks stating that some columns were removed just as in the
case of Moulivakkam issue that resulted in the death of more than 60
workers