1,085 encroachments in Pallikaranai to be removed

So far, 70 hutments in Mahalakshmi Nagar, Pallikaranai, have been served eviction notices and there have been resistance from the dwellers.

“We have been living here for more than 20 years and all of a sudden how can they ask us to vacate?” said Kumaravel R, a resident of Ambedkar Nagar in Pallikaranai.

“They offered us some place near Perumbakkam, but when we asked for an alternative shelter here, they refused. The officials say that our houses will be demolished as it is a court order,” he added.

The residents are slated to be relocated to housing provided by Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board. “We don’t have legal documents for our house and when the officials asked us to vacate within given time period, we couldn’t oppose them as it is difficult to stay here with the marshland being filled with garbage and trash being burnt by other residents,” said Sangeetha P, a resident of Mahalakshmi Nagar in Pallikaranai.

Speaking to DT Next, a range officer from Tamil Nadu Forest department Saran Vivek, said, “We started the eviction process last week and have served notices to the residents here. A few agreed to move, but there are some who are opposing to it. But, we will have to go ahead with clearing the encroachments here according to the court order. Once that’s done, corporation officials will clear the garbage dumped in the marshland.”