Official guidance, Tamil Nadu land law
G.O. (Ms.) No. 143, Environmental Preservation of Heritage Places, 2002
The Government of Tamil Nadu, Housing and Urban Development (UD 4(2)) Department, issued G.O. (Ms.) No. 143 on 20 May 2002 to fund environmental preservation and visitor facilities at eleven heritage sites through the Town and Country Planning Development Fund. It permits grants to local bodies or the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation for acquiring suitable vacant land and developing parking and basic amenities, subject to approval and expenditure clearance.
What the government order does
G.O. (Ms.) No. 143 of the Government of Tamil Nadu, Housing and Urban Development (UD 4(2)) Department, dated 20 May 2002, authorises the first phase of a scheme to protect the surroundings of selected heritage sites. The scheme aims to reduce pollution near heritage places by locating parking and visitor facilities away from the sites.
The government had previously declared 38 places as heritage towns. Consultancy reports had been prepared for 33 places, while reports for five places were under preparation.
Heritage sites covered
G.O. (Ms.) No. 143 selects the following eleven heritage sites for the first phase:
- Chidambaram
- Poompuhar
- Palani
- Karaikudi
- Chingee
- Rameswaram
- Perur
- Colachal
- Nagoor
- Velankanni
- Gangaikonda Cholapuram
Land and facilities proposed
G.O. (Ms.) No. 143 allows suitable vacant sites to be identified near each heritage site, suggested as within about one kilometre. Visitors and pilgrims could park at these sites and walk to the heritage place.
Proposed facilities include:
- Vehicle parking areas.
- Pay and use toilets.
- Restaurant facilities at parking areas.
- Basic amenities for visitors.
- Overnight stay facilities away from the heritage site in places such as Gangaikonda Cholapuram.
The approximate expenditure stated for implementing the scheme in each town is Rs. 50 lakhs.
Preparation and approval of proposals
G.O. (Ms.) No. 143 requires the relevant municipalities and town panchayats to identify suitable vacant land and prepare detailed proposals. Each proposal must include the market value of the site and estimates for basic amenities at the proposed parking area.
The proposals must be sent to the Directorate of Town and Country Planning. The Directorate will place them before the Town and Country Planning Board for approval.
Effect on landowners and local bodies
G.O. (Ms.) No. 143 permits financial assistance from the Town and Country Planning Development Fund to be treated as a grant to local bodies or the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation. Required land may be acquired by private negotiation through district revenue authorities under the prescribed procedure, with specific approval from the Revenue Department required.
Municipalities and town panchayats may execute projects in their areas. For a village panchayat location such as Gangaikonda Cholapuram, the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation may undertake the work. Expenditure must be cleared by the concerned District Collector and the Special Commissioner of Town and Country Planning.
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Common questions
Does G.O. (Ms.) No. 143 identify any particular private property for acquisition?
No particular survey number, parcel or owner is identified. The relevant local body must first identify suitable vacant land and submit its market value and project estimates for approval.
Can land near an included heritage site be acquired for the scheme?
Yes. Required land may be acquired by private negotiation through the district revenue authorities under the prescribed procedure, and specific approval from the Revenue Department is required.
How close may the proposed parking area be to a heritage site?
G.O. (Ms.) No. 143 suggests identifying suitable sites in the vicinity of the heritage site, within about one kilometre, so visitors and pilgrims can park and walk.
Who approves and funds a heritage site proposal?
The local body sends its proposal to the Directorate of Town and Country Planning, which places it before the Town and Country Planning Board for approval. Funding is provided as a grant from the Town and Country Planning Development Fund, with expenditure cleared by the concerned District Collector and the Special Commissioner of Town and Country Planning.
