The Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board (TNSCB) has made a significant breakthrough in convincing the residents of Sengulam Colony to vacate their houses to destroy the dilapidated tenements for constructing new tenements at the same site.
Although many of about 150 residents and a few members of political parties, who attended the conciliatory meeting held at the Collectorate on Tuesday, had raised their apprehension on vacating the houses and re-allotment, Collector Jayashree Muralidharan gave a patient hearing and cleared their doubts one by one.
While explaining the rationale behind the government move to build new tenements at the same site instead of damaged tenements, she said 685 houses, including 295 for the encroachers, would be built at a cost of Rs. 46.35 crore. They would be allotted houses in the new tenements. The project would be completed within 16 months. There was no need for any misgiving. She told them that all necessary facilities, including park and play ground, would be established.
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So far, 45 families have vacated their houses by accepting Rs. 8,000 offered by the TNSCB. Some of them had sought time.
Distribution of house patta to all existing allottees and those residing in the colony and an alternative site for them to stay till the completion of new tenements were the main demands of the residents.
The Collector had assured them that their demands would be taken to the notice of the government. In the end, a group of leaders who led them at the meeting, signed a register as a mark of promise to cooperate with the TNSCB officials to vacate the houses to expedite the works for reconstruction of tenements.
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S. Suresh, Executive Engineer, TNSCB, Tiruchi, said the meeting had created a positive impact among the residents, some of them were misled by a group.
Many had understood the importance of constructing new houses to them. A few residents had voluntarily come forward to vacate their houses.
The eviction drive would get a momentum in the weeks to come.