Corporation officials carried out a major encroachment removal drive in and around the Subramaniaswamy Temple at Tirupparankundram on Wednesday.
Besides evicting few shops that had occupied the space adjacent to the temple on the Big Car Street, they removed the sunshades and temporary shelters put up by the shopkeepers and residents that encroached upon the streets.
The Corporation Commissioner, R. Nanthagopal, in a statement said, that the structures put up in front of the buildings were removed following receipt of complaints that they posed hurdle for traffic.
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The Commissioner inspected the eviction drive conducted by the City Town Planning Officer, M. Rakkappan, along with engineers.
The officials also removed several shops selling flowers, garlands and other puja articles with earth movers.
Meanwhile, a group of residents and shopkeepers complained that the officials swung into action without giving any prior notice.
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They were pacified by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam councillor M.L. Raj.
The residents also complained that the Corporation officials were concentrating on eviction rather than providing drinking water to the people of the locality.
An elderly woman was among many who complained to the officials that drinking water had not been supplied for the last one week.
Among those who were present were the Assistant Commissioner, A. Devadoss, Assistant Executive Engineers, Palanichamy, I. Renganathan, Narayanan and Muthukumar.
A large posse of policemen accompanied the Corporation officials during the eviction drive.