There are allegations from residents of neighbourhoods in Virugambakkam that a 17-acre housing project for IAS officers in Nerkundram had a significant role in the flooding of their houses.
It is alleged that a canal in the area had been closed to make way for the housing project.
Sources in the revenue department said that in the past, this canal was helpful in channelling floodwaters into the Virugambakkam canal.
P. Prabakaran, a resident of the Thangal Erikarai Road in Virugambakkam, said the canal was reclaimed a few years ago for the project.
“They dumped huge quantities of construction debris in the canal. During the recent floods, some Chennai Corporation officials tried to have the canal dug up and revived, but in vain. Water level in our house rose to three feet. We lost our valuables. Now, officials are threatening to relocate us.”
The houses of a number of residents in the low-income neighbourhoods on Thangal Erikarai Road in Virugambakkam were inundated during the floods in December. Many houses located in the vicinity of the project report waterlogging even now.
S. Anandayee (50), a resident of Thangal Erikarai Road, said her home had remained inundated due to the new project for senior bureaucrats of All India Services.
“Water stagnation increased only after the new project came up. Natural drains in the area have vanished,” said Ms.Anandayee.
The project is located adjacent to the Koyambedu market, offering homes at concessional rates to several IAS and IPS officers.
The project, ‘Own Your Housing Scheme at Nerkundram’, proposed under Section 41 of the TNHB Act 1961 to build more than 1,000 flats, is set to be completed shortly. At least 600 All India Service officers, including IAS and IPS officers, 120 Group I officers and more than 200 low-level government servants are expected to reside at the homes, on completion of the project.
“Instead of recreating the canal, officials are trying to relocate us from the area. The project is nearing completion. We might be relocated anytime next year because of the project. Some officials have already asked us to be prepared for relocation,” said E. Shanthi, another resident.
An official of Housing and Urban Development Department said the protesting residents had actually encroached upon the waterbody, causing flooding in the area. “We will also develop a drain on the premises,” said the official.
