Building in George Town sealed for breach

CHENNAI: A seven-story building on Umperson Street in George Town was sealed, on Wednesday, for deviating from the approved plan besides constructing additional floors.Sources told Express that the owner of the building obtained approval on May 16, 1994, from Chennai Corporation for the construction of ground floor, mezzanine and first floor for  a stationery shop.However, the construction deviated from the approval, issued by Corporation, and additional floors were constructed.The ground floor and first floor deviated from the approved plan and second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh floors were unauthorised construction. Interestingly, the owner completed the work and occupied the building for commercial purpose. The ground floor was used as shopping premises while the upper floors were used for lodging, sources added.A demolition notice was issued on March 2007 and the owner applied for regularisation, which was rejected on August 23, 2011. The owner was served the lock and seal notice on Aug 26 and it was sealed on Wednesday.