Houses, hosp on encroached water channel demolished

Acting on a Madras High Court order which directed the removal of structures constructed on waterbodies, Revenue Department officials found that 12 houses, a shop besides the front portion of the Kurinji Hospital had encroached upon Raja Vaikal, an outlet channel of Ismail Khan lake in Alagapuram.

A few days ago, the revenue officials issued notices stating the illegal structures would be pulled down on December 10. The notice was also pasted on the hospital entrance. The Public Health Department had asked the hospital not to admit more patients, besides seeking the transfer of existing patients to other hospitals.

As decided, officials from Corporation and Revenue Department demolished the front portion of the hospital building by engaging earthmovers. A large number of police personnel were deployed in the area to prevent any untoward incidents.

Residents of Alagapuram were for a long time demanding the eviction of illegal structures to prevent inundation of their neighbourhood during the rainy season.