Defiant Thideer Nagar residents refuse to relocate

Relocation at this juncture will affect education of the students living in the slum area and the officials should consider this, said the residents. “We are living in a ‘notified slum’ so there is no question of relocation. Even though Revenue and Corporation officials justify the relocation on the ground of floods, why are the same officials hesitating to remove buildings and other commercial establishments constructed along the same place,” they asked.

Bharathi Prabu, a social activist, said, “There are around 300 students in the slum area and they have completed their quarterly examination. Under such circumstance, relocation is completely unacceptable.” The officials should construct new houses for these people in the same place by removing encroachments, he stressed. “If there is a flood warning, the officials can temporarily shift the people to the community and marriage halls. But, relocation is not the solution,” he said.

A Palanivel, a resident of the slum, said, “We have been residing in this place for about 50 years, but the officials now insist that we relocate a new place located 60 km away.” Their livelihood would largely be affected, if they are shifted, he added.

When contacted, a Corporation official said they are in touch with the slum dwellers and are explaining the reasons for the relocation. “We hope that people will understand the situation and be ready for relocation soon,” the official said.

It may be recalled that Corporation had begun to demolish the tenements in Thideer Nagar, near Greams Road on Tuesday.