As part of Panaiyur channel cleaning exercise, encroachments on Sungam Pallivasal to Obula Padithurai stretch was cleared by the Madurai Corporation personnel.
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court, which directed the civic authorities to clear encroachments by October 25, has been closely monitoring the progress of the work. In its status report filed before the High Court bench on November 8, Corporation officials had assured that 50 % of the work had been completed and the channel would be cleaned by November 15.
Corporation Commissioner S. Aneesh Sekhar said encroachments posed hindrance as earth movers could not be used along the waterbody.
The encroachments were cleared in three parts – Ibramsha Compound, Pattaraikara street and Obula Padithurai. Portions of houses and shops along a 435-metre-stretch without patta (documents) were razed to the ground. Heavy machinery were used in the operation. The debris fell into the channel but Corporation officials said the the concrete blocks would be removed during the cleaning process.
About 30 police personnel were deployed in these areas to prevent commotion and disputes. Many residents opposed the move as they claimed that they had not received notices. S. Mohammed and M. Ibrahim whose ‘pattarai’ or lathe lied on Pattaraikara Street said they did not received notice regarding the eviction. “We have no issue with the problem with clearing the encroachments. However, they should have informed us in advance,” they said.
The annexe portion the house of Seeni Fathima, a 70-year-old woman in Ibramsha Colony was demolished. “I am old. I cannot read. They [Corporation officials] told me that it was nothing to worry about and they got my signature many days ago,” said the old woman.
Corporation officials, however, said they had explained the repercussions of encroaching the channel. An official from the engineering section said she had personally visited the shops to serve notices, but the owners refused to sign the papers produced by the Corporation.
