COIMBATORE: Unauthorised conversion of residential buildings into commercial spaces in residential areas has created problems in parking vehicles on streets and roads in the city.
The brazen violation is more evident in areas like Saibaba Colony, Ramanathapuram, Gandhipuram, Peelamedu and Singanallur. Owners of these residential buildings have rented out their space for commercial purposes to earn high rental income, disregarding the potential parking problems on narrow roads and streets. More so, they don’t even inform the local authorities about the conversion of their space.
Of late, the city corporation has begun gathering details of these unauthorised conversions to impose hefty fines.
Dr N V Jayaraman, former director of Anna University’s Coimbatore campus, has been residing in an apartment on VKK Menon Road in Saibaba Colony since 2004.
He said, “Many house owners have converted their residential buildings for commercial purposes on VKK Menon Road without providing additional parking facilities. Tenants occupying the commercial spaces and their visitors are forced to park their vehicles on narrow residential roads. Such commercial activities are disrupting the peaceful nature of residential areas.”
TOI visited Ramalingam Nagar, VKK Menon Road, Sathyamoorthy Street, Church Road in Saibaba Colony, and Ram Nagar on Monday.
Boutiques, eateries, restaurants, organic product outlets, dental clinics, and used car sales shops are housed in some residential buildings in these areas.
A corporation official said, “While house owners apply for property conversion from residential to commercial purposes, they fail to provide parking facilities for occupants and visitors. Corporation officials have overlooked the lack of parking facilities in these converted commercial spaces.”
M Pavithra, a structural consultant residing in an apartment with her family on Sathyamoorthy Road in Saibaba Colony, said, “A residential building adjacent to our apartment was partially converted into a restaurant. The kitchen fumes directly enter surrounding buildings. Most residents cannot open their windows or access their balconies. My son, who suffers from wheezing, experiences increased suffocation due to this restaurant. They have an inactive chimney, and any fire accident would severely affect the surrounding residential buildings.”
K Kathirmathiyon, secretary of Coimbatore Consumer Cause, said that the local body has not taken these violations seriously. “If immediate action is not taken, we will file a writ petition against the corporation to ensure necessary measures are taken to protect residential areas,” he added.
Coimbatore corporation commissioner M Sivaguru Prabakaran said, “When building owners apply for conversion, the corporation will look for parking space before giving permission. Officials, including bill collectors, will conduct routine checks for property violations. Hefty fines will be imposed on house owners if violations are proved.”
