E Arun and Tarun Kartick
Port Blair, June 11: The CRZ regulations has hit Port Blair city hard. Due to almost nil or zero knowledge about the Coastal Regulation Zone neither people are able to take up any mega project in sea shore areas nor is the PBMC giving any clearance for building construction in coastal belts.
Worst hit are the people of South Point and Mazar Pahar areas, as all the building plans in that area are usually turned down by the PBMC, citing CRZ restrictions.
“The PBMC official told us that we can’t construct RCC houses in Mazar Pahar coastal area because of CRZ regulations. According to them in Mazar Pahar and South Point areas one can’t carry out any construction work within 500 mtrs from the sea shore but in Haddo area the CRZ restriction is only 50 mtrs. Is it a joke?” said an old resident of South Point area.
The mockery is that in low lying area like Haddo the CRZ restriction is only 50 mtrs while in hilly areas like Mazaar Pahar and South Point the restriction is 500 mtrs.
People who are having plots in Mazaar Pahar area are not even thinking of taking up any building construction project because of such CRZ restrictions.
When Andaman Sheekha contacted officials, it is found that CRZ is such a matter, regarding which everyone talks but no one really knows about it completely.
The Revenue officials openly refused to comment on this issue, even the PBMC officials were silent.
When Andaman Sheekha contacted the Secretary Revenue, she asked Andaman Sheekha to meet PCCF.
Finally PCCF was able to clear some could in this regard.
When Andaman Sheekha Contacted Dr. Sashi Kumar, IFS, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Andaman and Nicobar Administration in this regard, he said that in Andaman and Nicobar Islands there are categories types of CRZs.
One Category is CZMP (Coastal Zone Management Plan) which is for bigger Islands and another category is IIMP (Integrated Island Management Plan) which is for smaller Islands.
“According to CRZ there is a rule to allow construction works only beyond 500 Meters from the coast but if there is a road in the coastal area then the construction towards the landward area of the road can be carried out.” Dr. Sashi Kumar added.
If PCCF is correct then the PBMC must allow all kind of building construction works towards the landward side of the Mazar Pahar- Corbyn’s Cove road, which will not only be a great blessing for the people living in those areas but also help in overall development of A & N Islands.
