Oppn warns legal action against masterplan

New CDP is totally against the interests of the middle class, poor

Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, MCC Opposition leader Harinath said they would not hesitate to step into court if certain changes were not made in the masterplan as per their demand. The new masterplan (that was Comprehensive Development Plan earlier) is totally against the interests of the middle class and poor. It denies them the opportunity to build their own houses in smaller land holdings, he observed.

As per the new zoning regulations, one can not build nursing homes and educational institutions in residential areas unlike the provisions in the previous CDP. Since the area of neighbouring shops in the residential zones has been restricted to 20 square metres, one can not open a shop or office in a portion of his residence, Harinath pointed out.
The new zoning regulation does not allow somebody to build a house in a small agricultural land. According to the plan, the roads consume more space and the people having small properties will be denied of the right of building houses of their own, he alleged, adding that the system would automatically result in skyrocketing of flat rates.
Considering the topography of Mangalore, the authorities should allow people to build ground floors on a site having lesser than 250 sqm area where natural ground floors can be built, he appealed.

The authorities should also allow people to cover their terraces with sheets since the district gets heavy rains and experiences hot sun; but no walls should  be built other than the parapet, he added.
He said the new zoning regulations seek security deposit of Rs 50 per square metre area to the apartments, commercial and industrial establishments. This will lead to corruption indirectly, he noted.

Harinath said the new masterplan has been designed keeping in view of the interests of the capitalists, and hence it should be made convenient to the common people.
Former mayors Shashidhar Hegde, K Ahraf, councillors S Appi and D K Ashok were present at the press meet.