In a move that will bring people from across southern Chennai to the neighbourhood, South Chennai District Registrar Office comprising South Chennai Joint I and II Sub-Registrar offices besides Alandur and Virugambakkam Sub-Registrar offices have been shifted and have started functioning at SIDCO Electronics Complex at Thiru Vi Ka Industrial Estate, Guindy.
One of the biggest advantages of this transition is the complete elimination of brokers in the registration process from here onwards. Sources said brokers will be barred from all the four sub-registrar offices on the premises. They will be accessible only to those directly engaged in registration. Buyers, sellers, witnesses and advocates who are associated with the registrations as per the token privacy (TP) number will only be allowed inside.
Officials are expecting an average of 1,500 people to visit the four offices every day. The office of the deputy inspector general of registration is already functioning from the complex. Hard copies of applications for wedding registrations and encumbrance certificates are proposed to be provided free of cost.
While the South Chennai Joint I and II offices collectively generate annual revenue of Rs 180 crore, the Alandur and Virugambakkam sub-registrar offices record registrations of Rs 60 crore and Rs 150 crore, respectively.
Sathasivan, a resident of the Alandur, said, “This is a good initiative by the government as the entire registration process will now be streamlined. The elimination of brokers will be another great step. But the government should provide last-mile connectivity to the offices on the new premises. While residents of Alandur don’t have any problem now, others will surely find it difficult commuting the distance. Hope proactive measures are taken.”
While some residents have appreciated the move, many oppose it. A resident of Nanganallur 1st Main Road, Ashok Chandran, said, “Now we have to travel over 5 km to reach Guindy for registration and we don’t welcome this move. We want the office back on 1st Main Road.” A few residents also submitted a petition to Alandur MLA TM Anbarasan, who assured help.