Madras High Court Sets May Deadline for ECR CRZ Violation Appeals

The Madras High Court has directed the Tamil Nadu government to dispose of all pending statutory appeals related to alleged Coastal Regulation Zone violations along Chennai’s East Coast Road on or before May 31. The order is expected to bring fresh momentum to enforcement efforts concerning unauthorised constructions along the city’s sensitive coastline.

The matter pertains to buildings constructed within 500 metres of the seashore between Neelankarai and Uthandi, an area governed by strict CRZ norms aimed at protecting the coastal ecosystem. In 2018, following earlier court directions, the Greater Chennai Corporation had issued notices to 798 property owners over alleged violations. The list reportedly included prominent individuals from business, politics, cinema and other sectors.

During the recent hearing, the State informed the Division Bench that 440 property owners had filed statutory appeals challenging the Corporation’s notices. However, only 84 appeals have been disposed of so far, leaving a substantial number pending for years. Taking note of the delay, the court granted time until March 30 for appellants to submit their explanations and directed authorities to complete hearings and pass final orders by May 31.

The Bench also underscored the importance of safeguarding Chennai’s extensive coastline, not only for its visual appeal but also for long term environmental sustainability. A senior counsel assisting the court emphasised that unauthorised constructions, if left unchecked, could pose ecological risks and weaken regulatory enforcement.

The case is scheduled for further hearing later this month. With a clear deadline now in place, the focus shifts to the State administration to ensure timely disposal of appeals and reinforce compliance with coastal protection norms across the ECR stretch.