Residents of the Tamil Nadu Housing Board’s (TNHB) flats in Puliyur, Kodambakkam, assembled at the office of the executive engineer in Ashok Nagar on Wednesday morning, seeking withdrawal of a circular issued to them earlier this year.
The circular had instructed owners of the flat to make a payment for their property’s sale deed.
Residents had received the circular more than 20 years after they moved into the flats that are now in a dilapidated condition.
They have been trying to submit their grievances at every possible level, but in vain.
On Wednesday, the residents assembled at the office of the executive engineer of K.K. Nagar division.
As senior engineers and officials were not present at the time, staff members informed the residents their grievances would be forwarded to the higher authorities concerned.
The residents’ primary demand was cancellation of the circular as there was no rationale behind its timing.
Until this was done, they said, the board should at least take up temporary plastering work to prevent further collapse of the roofs and walls.
“Even last week, a portion of the wall in E Block collapsed and fell, but fortunately no one was injured,” said B. Periasamy, a resident.
The residents conceded the task of maintenance was the responsibility of the association. Members of an association formed some years ago had swindled the money they had collected, the residents said.
If the government did not take up immediate repair work and also recall the circular, the 600 families living in the TNHB flats would take to the streets, they said.
