Hindu Makkal Katchi petitioned the District Collector, urging the completion of 520 houses promised to Scheduled Caste residents in Ukkadam's CMC Colony and relocation of the fish market for remaining houses.
Coimbatore: The Hindu Makkal Katchi submitted a petition to the District Collector today, demanding the fulfillment of promises made by the Slum Clearance Board and Corporation officials to construct over 520 houses for the Scheduled Caste residents in the CMC Colony area of Ukkadam. The petition also called for the relocation of the Ukkadam fish market to provide space for the remaining houses.
A few years ago, the Slum Clearance Board had asked the Scheduled Caste residents near the Ukkadam tank bund and behind the vegetable market to vacate their homes. The residents were promised 520 multi-storey dwellings to be built in the vacated areas and the current fish market location. The authorities began work after a one-and-a-half-year negotiation period with the Arunthathiyar community. Currently, only 222 houses have been completed and handed over in one section.
The second phase, involving the construction of 298 dwellings, has not yet begun. This has left the affected residents disappointed and living as refugees in their own area. The fish market, which was supposed to be relocated according to the promise given 18 months ago, remains in its original location. Instead, Slum Clearance Board officials are now asking to use the area behind the registered plots of the same community as an alternative site.
The petition highlighted that the Tamil Nadu government had already allocated sufficient funds for constructing the housing complex at the fish market site. However, the project remains unfulfilled due to requests from traders of other communities operating in the fish market. Many of the displaced residents are Corporation employees, and the promised locations would be convenient for their daily work. Relocating them to other areas would significantly increase their commute time.
The Hindu Makkal Katchi urged the District Collector to intervene immediately and ensure the fulfillment of the promises made to the Scheduled Caste residents. They warned that if the demands are not met, their organization would not hesitate to launch a massive protest with the affected residents.
A few years ago, the Slum Clearance Board had asked the Scheduled Caste residents near the Ukkadam tank bund and behind the vegetable market to vacate their homes. The residents were promised 520 multi-storey dwellings to be built in the vacated areas and the current fish market location. The authorities began work after a one-and-a-half-year negotiation period with the Arunthathiyar community. Currently, only 222 houses have been completed and handed over in one section.
The second phase, involving the construction of 298 dwellings, has not yet begun. This has left the affected residents disappointed and living as refugees in their own area. The fish market, which was supposed to be relocated according to the promise given 18 months ago, remains in its original location. Instead, Slum Clearance Board officials are now asking to use the area behind the registered plots of the same community as an alternative site.
The petition highlighted that the Tamil Nadu government had already allocated sufficient funds for constructing the housing complex at the fish market site. However, the project remains unfulfilled due to requests from traders of other communities operating in the fish market. Many of the displaced residents are Corporation employees, and the promised locations would be convenient for their daily work. Relocating them to other areas would significantly increase their commute time.
The Hindu Makkal Katchi urged the District Collector to intervene immediately and ensure the fulfillment of the promises made to the Scheduled Caste residents. They warned that if the demands are not met, their organization would not hesitate to launch a massive protest with the affected residents.