HC directs Corpn to explain unauthorised construction

The court’s attention was drawn to a specific case involving the construction of a 10-storey building for MGM Hospitals on St. Marys Road in Alwarpet, Chennai. The matter came to light when senior advocate Mr. G. Rajagopalan filed a case in the High Court, citing concerns over heavy noise pollution in the locality during the construction of the deep holed foundation. In response to the case, the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) initially stated that permission had not been granted for the construction work. However, CMDA indicated that permission could be granted upon payment of the requisite dues. Subsequently, the MHC imposed an interim stay on the construction works at MGM Hospital. However, questions regarding the issuance of permission for the construction arose during the hearing before Justices R. Subramaniam and R. Sakthivel on February 12, 2024.The judges questioned the CMDA regarding how the hospital administration was allowed to commence construction works in July 2023 without obtaining planning permission.