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Puddle muddle

  • 30/08/2003

A division bench of the High Court (HC) of Kerala has restrained the Municipal Corporation of Cochin from issuing new building permits in the city in view of its non-functional sewage system. The bench, comprising Chief Justice Jawahar Lal Gupta and Justice A K Basheer, had earlier summoned an official of the civic body, demanding details of the plan to prevent water-logging. The HC was acting on a petition filed by the Karikkamuri Residents Association on March 9 this year. The plaintiffs had contended that the corporation had failed to prevent water-logging in the area. The civic body, in its reply, claimed that it did not have sufficient funds. On May 6, the residents' group moved court seeking the removal of the corporation council after severe water-logging caused by heavy rainfall.

The HC rejected the action taken report submitted by the corporation. While the civic body is planning to approach the Supreme Court, residents too are set to file a caveat in the apex court.