COIMBATORE: Officials of Coimbatore Corporation and Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board (TNSCB) demolished the five-decade old encroachments along Valankulam lake in the city on Wednesday morning.
More than 900 houses and several huts, spread across nearly 30 acres of land along the lake were torn down with the help of 10 earthmovers, after the notice period to vacate the place came to an end on Tuesday.
About 50 Corporation officials including assistant commissioners, assistant engineers zone and health officers were deployed to monitor the eviction process. A large posse of police was also posted to prevent any untoward incident.
Sources said that the land is owned by Public Works Department and maintained by the civic body.
TNSCB has allotted 790 houses in Amman Kulam for the evicted residents, while the remaining will be given houses in Ukkadam, where a new housing project is under construction.
The allotments in Amman Kulam were made after a ground survey in Valankulam and residents were asked to vacate in March. However, they sought an extension and the final deadline to vacate was Tuesday.
Santhosh, one of the encroachers who was busy vacating his belongings complained that they weren't given enough time to vacate. “The allotment order to relocate came only two weeks ago. We are finding it difficult to vacate at such short notice,” he added.
Meanwhile, a large number of residents cried foul that they were denied houses even though they had occupied the place for several decades.
“We have lived along Valankulam lake for three decades. We have ration cards and Aadhaar cards bearing the address in Valankulam. But we had to vacate the place in 2009 after a flood. Officials are hesitating to allot houses for several people like me,” said Rajeswari, who was at the venue.
TNSCB Executive Engineer Rajasekar told Express that more than 115 residents have applied for new house and allotments will be made after the Ukkadam project, where 1800 houses are being built, is completed.
Corporation Commissioner K Vijayakarthikeyan said the land in Valankulam will be fenced after residents finish vacating their belongings and after cleaning debris.