Tucked away in a nondescript neighbourhood, Burma Colony houses about 600 families that stay at three areas of the colony located in Kapparada. While the first two areas are named as Nehru Nagar, the third phase is titled as Ajay Kallam Nagar.
Situated between NGGO’s Colony and Pattabhi Reddy Thota, this colony houses Burmese repatriates who had moved to the port city with a hope in their hearts to lead a decent life.
However, the city had something else in store for them. “Owing to the change in the government followed by economic crisis in Burma, our parents left the place in 1965. Like them, thousands of families have come from Burma to the city with a promise made by the Government of India to provide house and employment opportunity for the repatriates. But our struggle for livelihood continues as most of us live without proper shelter, leave alone being employed,” explains D. Satyanarayana, a resident who stays in the colony for the last 40 years.
Residents say that the colony was supposed to be built in a nine-plus acre site. Apparently, only seven-acre site has been utilised for the purpose and the rest has been kept vacant for several years now. “This apart, the single unit model housing gave way to two-storey or three-storey buildings which is against the original plan,” says K. Marraju, president of Burma Andhra Repatriates’ Association.
Most of the houses here are in a dilapidated condition. As a result, many have moved away from the colony in search of better amenities. “Comparatively, life was far better in Burma. Despite our decade-long struggle over here, there is no proper support system in place to lead a decent life,” laments K. Ravi, a resident.
Our struggle for livelihood continues and most of us live without proper shelter
D. Satyanarayana
A resident
