Resettled slum dwellers residing in tenements in Perumbakkam and Gudapakkam were put to hardship last week after electricity supply was disrupted in their localities for a few days. “We had no power for three days straight. It was very difficult to manage,” complained G. Kumar, a daily wage worker and resident of the Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board tenements in Perumbakkam. Residents said following the heavy downpour, the electricity connection was disrupted and that their ceilings began leaking. “We have long been requesting officials to repair the roof and walls, but nothing has been done yet. And every time it rains, the ceilings start leaking and the walls get damp,” he said. The local authorities on Sunday evening repaired the electricity connections, and power was restored.
Similarly, those residing in the TNSCB tenements in Gudapakkam, near Thirumazhisai too complain of irregular power supply. Residents claim that every time it rains or drizzles their electricity supply gets disrupted.
“This is the time we need power supply because this is an open area and snakes and other vermins crawl in. We have to be more careful,” said A. Velu, a resident of Gudapakkam tenements.
Not only power supply, Mr. Velu said that during such times residents do not have access even to food and healthcare. “There are no shops at least within a kilometre nearby to buy food items and no hospital. We need round the clock healthcare services,” he said.
The area engineer concerned was unavailable for comments.
