Nearly two years after serving eviction notice, the 50-year-old Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board (TNSCB) tenements at Sengulam Colony were brought down on Wednesday amid stiff opposition from the residents.
The officials had to face tense moments, series of agitations, road blockade, and demonstrations by residents, who put up a stout resistance against the TNSCB’s move to bring the six-acre colony under its control for building new tenements.
The residents had blocked the project demanding alternative arrangements till the completion of the project. It took about five months for the officials to complete the eviction drive which was launched in the second week of November.
Except for a few blocks, most of the buildings have been razed down completely by earthmovers.
The TNSCB took the decision to rebuild the tenements at the same site after demolishing the existing structures, which were built in 1964. The State government had announced in 2013 that new tenements would be built for the same beneficiaries at a cost of Rs. 46 crore.
S.Suresh, Executive Engineer, TNSCB, Tiruchi, told The Hindu that the eviction drive had almost been completed. Of the 790 families, 750 families had vacated their tenements, and the remaining families would have to vacate their place within the next few days.
He said that re-allotment order had been disbursed to 350 original allottees.
Allotment orders would be soon given to “all other eligible beneficiaries” who were living in the encroached areas of Sengulam colony. The allottees could automatically occupy their respective houses once the project was completed. Mr.Suresh said tender process for construction had already been completed. Construction works would begin within two months and would be completed within 15 months. It had been planned to build 685 houses. Each house would have a living space of 380 to 400 square feet.
Each house would have individual electricity, water, and underground drainage connection. There was no need for the allottees to pay deposit for UGD and electricity connections, as the government would foot the cost.
Ten percent of the total area would be allotted for setting up park and playground. Besides new roads, storm water drain provision would also be made at the colony, he said.
Officials had to face series of agitations, road blockade, and demonstrations by residents
