Civil engineers, architects stage protest in Udhagamandalam

NICEA members protest lack of transparency in building license approvals, alleging favoritism towards large projects and residences.

Members of the Nilgiris Civil Engineers and Architects’ Association (NICEA) staged a protest in front of the district collector’s office on Monday, alleging a “lack of transparency” in granting building licenses in the district. The members alleged that while building licenses were being delayed or denied to “poor” and “working class” communities, that they were being granted for large projects and residences. They alleged that building licenses were being granted illegally to certain vested groups and that the Architectural and Aesthetic Aspects (AAA) Committee was not functioning transparently.