Gated communities cannot have gates or security that obstruct free movement of vehicles, the Directorate of Town and Country Planning has said.

In its reply to a licensed building surveyor, who had filed an RTI seeking a copy of Town Planning Law on installing a gate at the entrance of a road, the department – quoting Section 12 of Multi-Storeyed and Public Building Rules – said an obstruction-free access has to be allowed to the building.

S. Kanagasundaram, a licensed building surveyor and former President of Association of Licensed Building Surveyors, in his RTI had sought a copy of town planning law on installation a gate at the entrance to a road, group housing, layout or any other residential areas.

The Directorate quoted Section 12 of the law, which reads “There shall be provided from the street to the entrance door or doors every building in the site a clear way of not less than 5 metres in width as a means of access to such building which shall be maintained free from any obstruction or any overhang or projection from the building.”

Kanagasundaram, who resides at Parsn Sesh Nestle in Nanjundapuram Road has been fighting for the last few years for the removal of the gates and security at the entrance of Parsn Sesh Nestle gated community.

“This is purely violation of the Act. The local planning authority does know about these acts. I don’t know why they are failing to take action. The authorities should act immediately,” he said.