Chennai Corporation Cracks Down on Unauthorized Road-Cutting with Hefty Fines and Police Action
The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has taken a stern stance against unauthorized road-cutting activities that have been plaguing the city's infrastructure. In a significant resolution passed during a recent council meeting, the civic body has imposed substantial financial penalties, tripled restoration charges, and authorized police intervention to combat this persistent issue.
Substantial Financial Penalties for Violations
Under the new regulations, unauthorized digging on bus-route roads will now attract a hefty fine of ₹2 lakh, while similar violations on interior roads will result in a penalty of ₹1 lakh. This represents a major escalation in enforcement measures aimed at deterring illegal activities that damage road surfaces and disrupt daily traffic flow.
Enhanced Enforcement Measures
The resolution empowers GCC officials to file formal police complaints against violators, confiscate machinery used for unauthorized work, and levy restoration charges at three times the prescribed rate. These comprehensive measures are designed to create a strong deterrent against unauthorized road-cutting across Chennai's extensive road network.
Protecting Chennai's Extensive Road Infrastructure
Chennai's road infrastructure is substantial, with GCC maintaining 488 bus-route roads stretching 418.5 kilometers and 35,978 interior roads covering 5,654 kilometers. This extensive network has been suffering from frequent damage caused by various entities including service departments, optic fiber cable-laying agencies, gas pipeline agencies, contractors, and private individuals.
Addressing Multiple Challenges
The unauthorized road-cutting has created multiple problems for the city:
- Significant damage to road surfaces requiring frequent repairs
- Disruption to traffic flow affecting daily commuters
- Increased maintenance costs burdening municipal resources
- Safety concerns for pedestrians and motorists
Strict Timelines and Coordination Measures
The new regulations also address agencies that fail to complete approved road-cutting work within stipulated timeframes. Such entities will be treated as violators and charged three times the restoration cost. Furthermore, any additional work will only be permitted after full payment of penalties and obtaining fresh authorization from the corporation.
Proactive Planning and Coordination
To prevent newly laid roads from being dug up shortly after completion, GCC has instituted a systematic approach. The corporation plans to hold coordination meetings every Tuesday with various service departments to review proposed projects. "Roads will be re-laid only after these projects are completed and a no-objection certificate is issued by the department concerned," explained an official. "This will ensure that roads are not damaged again and curb major patchwork."
Protection Period for Newly Laid Roads
In a significant protective measure, all departments have been directed to refrain from cutting newly laid roads for at least six months, except in genuine emergency situations. This cooling-off period is expected to significantly extend the lifespan of newly constructed road surfaces and reduce maintenance frequency.
Comprehensive Approach to Infrastructure Protection
The GCC's multi-pronged approach combines financial penalties, legal action, improved coordination, and protective timeframes to address the complex challenge of unauthorized road-cutting. By implementing these measures, the corporation aims to preserve Chennai's road infrastructure, reduce traffic disruptions, and optimize maintenance expenditures while ensuring systematic development of underground utilities.
This resolution represents a comprehensive effort to bring order to road-cutting activities across Chennai, balancing development needs with infrastructure protection and public convenience. The success of these measures will depend on consistent enforcement and cooperation from all stakeholders involved in urban development projects.
