The neighbourhood is a hot bed for real estate; illegal constructions keep cropping up in the locality every now and then.
However, a recent united act by residents of Velacheri resulted in authorities demolishing encroachments near Perungudi MRTS.
Earlier, these encroachments were hindering the pathway that drains rainwater from the residential areas into the Pallikaranai marshland. Fearing a repeat of the 2015 floods, Tansi Nagar Welfare Association took up this issue.
“We have always faced hard times during rainy seasons, and most of the stagnation was caused due to encroachments in the area, this angered us,” a resident said.
One resident pointed at a tall compound wall and said the water level rose up to that level during heavy showers. General Secretary, Tansi Nagar Welfare Association, M Balakrishnan, said, “This particular land which we fought for belongs to the Railways, but it was illegally occupied by unknown people. We filed petitions on behalf of our association against this and also effectively used the help of media. The court took up the case suo motu and gave a decision in favour of us.” Because of this unrelenting effort by the locals, the recent rains did not cause floods or hamper their daily lives.
It is said that immediately after the judgement the structures were razed down by bull dozers. Sadly, debris from the demolition were left piled up at the spot. “As heavy rains were predicted, we notified the authorities about it. After this, a passage was created to let the rain water flow through. But only half of the debris has been cleared,” informed Balakrishnan.
The residents rued that the authorities had claimed they did not have any more funds to carry on the work. The residents hope the land is put to good use after this and that the demolition drive would send a strong message to land grabbers.