Broadway pavement dwellers want homes from TNSCB

In a representation to the Commission, one of the dwellers K Sarasa and others pointed out that most of the roadside dwellers in Broadway, Mint and nearby areas belong to scheduled castes.

“As we get most of our work from the Broadway area, apartments should be allocated for us at new TNSCB apartment being built in Mint,” they stated.

Sarasa said that her parents had been living on the pavement with around 200 200 families in Broadway for more than 70 years. “We sell fruit or vegetable depending on the season and we have ration cards, Aadhar cards and other documents. During rains, we are forced to take shelter under the sunshades of shops. The Chennai Corporation is constructing a shelter in the area and they promised to let us stay during poor weather, but the facility is yet to be opened,” she said.

Acting on the representation, National Commission for Scheduled Castes has directed the Chennai district collector and managing director of TNSCB to furnish information pertaining to the issue and action taken report.