9,000 unsafe on city streets: Ignored by Corpn during lockdown, claim homeless

Chennai

According to a study approved by Greater Chennai Corporation, in 2018, 9,087 homeless people live in Chennai. Incidentally, the highest number was found in the Royapuram zone with 3,211, which also has the highest COVID-19 positive cases in the city. Tondiarpet, again with a huge tally of positive cases, has 1,238 homeless people and the Teynampet zone has 1,657 people on the streets.

Selva R (40), who lives at the Broadway bus terminus, claims that since the lockdown was imposed, no Corporation official has approached him. “No official has offered alternative places for us to stay at least till the lockdown ends. There is a fever clinic nearby but even they haven’t tested us for COVID or given us Kabasura Kudineer,” he told DT Next.

More than 40 families stay on the streets of Broadway and eke out a living doing menial jobs and selling cheap goods by the roadside. “We have been unable to get provisions for several weeks now and get food from volunteers. However, that is just one meal. At other times, we survive only on water,” said Soundarya S, who also lives at Broadway bus terminus. Their children too roam the streets without wearing masks and yet no official has come forward to help them or provide protective gear. “They keep saying that COVID cases are increasing, we also see police officers providing masks to people on two-wheelers. But none are bothered to help us,” said Sundari E, who’s been living in Parry’s Corner for more than 50 years.

Speaking to DT Next, a senior Corporation official said, “When the lockdown was imposed we allotted a shelter for street dwellers. But they have chosen to stay on the streets. If they feel unwell, they can go to the fever clinics and get tested.”