Even as the clamour for housing escalates by the day in Hosur, the Slum Clearance Board’s tenements in Ezhil Nagar on Rayakottai road here have had few takers. Fringed by picturesque hillocks, the multi-story tenements remains desolate even as dwelling units were allotted to the beneficiaries.
Over 500 tenements were built by the Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board for the residents of Parvathi Nagar slum. The residents were located on a mountain poramboke, and the proposal envisaged their relocation.
In its wake, over 550 tenements of 300 square feet each were constructed in 2012-13.
However, today, barring 250 tenements, remaining 300 tenements remain vacant, even as allotments were made for 23,476 tenements under the Slum clearance Board for select towns and cities.
Hosur has found mention in the recent announcement as well. However, Parvathi Nagar residents seem little enthused by the tenements, which they claim is too small.
The tenements were built as per 2011 norms with a standard size of 300 square feet.
This has found few takers. However, today, the revised norms provide for 400 square feet multi-story tenements.
But, this has come as a boon to women like Aruna, of Periyar Nagar slum. Today, she resides in one of the tenements for rent. The tenement was sublet to her by the original beneficiary, who continues to live in Parvathi Nagar slum. For Aruna, whose husband is daily labourer, this is the best she could ask for. “Some people from Periyar Nagar have also been allotted houses here. We have applied, but nothing has come yet,” she says.
The whopping number of vacant tenements has triggered demands from residents of other low income neighbourhoods seeking allotment of the tenements.
The beneficiaries were allotted a unit at a monthly rent of Rs. 500, for a period of five years. On completion of their stay for five years, the ownership of tenement will be transferred to the beneficiary.
Faced with vacant tenements, the SCB is seen to be in a fix.
The local administration had also proposed to conceive the mountain poramboke, where Parvathi Nagar slum is located, as part of Hosur beautification, said an official source.
