Leaky buildings force many residents to leave Perumbakkam

Those continuing to stay want Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board to rectify problem

It has been just three years since residents moved into the Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board (TNSCB) tenements in Ezhil Nagar, Perumbakkam, but already many of the houses have started leaking. Many have shifted to rented houses near their old dwelling place because of the problem.

There are thousands of families living in Perumbakkam Ezhil Nagar tenements, who all moved in about three years ago. “The leakage, due to poor pipeline and infrastructure, is present in all the blocks and particularly intense at the M, L,K, D, E and C blocks. We will be submitting a signed petition to the TNSCB chairman in the coming days,” said Kumar (name changed), a resident of the locality.

The residents have been pushed to the extreme as there has been no action from the TNSCB despite repeated complaints. Many residents have placed buckets near the walls from where water drips. “Every day we empty at least four such buckets,” he added. A newborn was lying on a wet bed in M Block and the family said they had no other option. “The walls are always damp. When the water is pumped into the tank on the terrace, the leakage is more. We even tried painting the house to reduce the damage, but nothing works,” added Shyamala (name changed), another resident.

Due to this problem, many residents have vacated houses. “Those who can afford rent in the city have moved out as it is impossible to even cook food or sleep inside the house. Most of them have a sore throat,” she added.

Dangerous situation

Even the rooms in which electricity meters are kept are leaking. “We are living in constant danger. We are not sure when the building will come crumbling down. Whenever we inform the local TNSCB official, they just visit and ask us to do the patch work,” added another resident.

Residents want the TNSCB to rectify the problem permanently at the earliest. “Even children fall ill often. The government should do something about it. They should form committees to monitor the condition of the buildings,” added Shyamala.

A senior TNSCB official said that they will be rectifying the issue.