KOCHI: Right in the heart of the city live around 600 including children in squalid conditions in an isolated colony located on puramboke land. P & T Colony, located on the banks of Perandoor canal near Kadavantra, is a blot on the development map of Kochi. Even as those who hold the reins of governance of the city point out the Metro pillars as the sign of progress, the colony presents a contradiction. A sad state of affairs for a city which is moving towards attaining Metropolitan status.
Fear is a constant companion for the residents here. Apart from water-borne diseases, they fear monsoon because even a small shower causes the canal to overflow. According to Vijayakumar, a head load worker, the filthy, stinking water from the canal enters their houses making life very miserable. “Houses get destroyed in the heavy rain and wind during monsoon. Once the water enters the house, the people here have no option but to leave. Only to be greeted by the grime and filth once the water receded,” he adds. He says,”Monsoon for us is not a happy occasion.”A
Economically backward
The people who inhabit the colony are mostly daily wage earners. Most of them are autorickshaw drivers, housemaids and head load workers. Over 74 families live here, many of them for more than 25 years. Earlier, Perandoor canal used to be an inland waterway, but now it has become one big garbage bin. “Not only the nearby apartments but also the urban ‘sewage’ system dumps domestic waste into the canal,” Vijayakumar says.
During high tide and monsoon, water from the canal enters the houses through the outlet pipes of their bathrooms. “The canal has never been dredged. Because of this wastes like plastic accumulate in it and obstruct its flow. This in turn causes it to overflow when it rains,” he says. The people here have no respite be it summer or monsoon.
Land dispute
According to Vijayakumar, a dispute exists regarding land rights. “Since a case is going on regarding the land rights, the councillor can’t initiate any action. The case has been going on for more than 10 years,” he adds.
He says, the problem can be solved only by relocating the people. “The place cannot be made habitable. Since each house, including the toilet, has been built on half a cent of land,” Vijayakumar says.
‘An unhealthy place’
According to Jaya Thulasidas, who has been living in colony for past 26 years, the condition of the five-decade old colony is pathetic. “Even though we approached many authorities, nothing has been done till date. The only official helping us is our councillor Poornima. After much hankering the authorities cleaned the canal recently,” she says.
She said the unhygienic conditions have affected the health of the residents, especially the children and the aged. “There are many who suffer from respiratory diseases and even cancer,” she says. To add to the woes, the Indian Oil Corporation has filed a case against them. “The case is in the court. The IOC wants us to move. They say it is dangerous to live in close proximity to the oil tanks. But where will we go?” she asks.
She says, those who could afford to rent other places have left the colony. Only the poor remain here. “We request the authorities to at least provide the owners of the houses with a lease for the land. During elections, all the leaders accosted us with different promises. But they have forgotten us. They just wanted our votes,” says Jaya.
‘Planning rehabilitation’
I am very well aware of their condition. They have been living in the dump for too long, says Poornima Narayan, Councillor and Education Standing Committee Chairperson.
She says, many families have been living there for quite a long time. Only a few of them are new. They are renters. “I agree with the residents’ demand for rehabilitation. Their demand is justifiable. It must be taken into serious consideration. It is high time some action is taken to help them. The authorities should not pretend ignorance. Something should be done immediately without affecting their livelihood,” she says. “I have to discuss the rehabilitation issue with the authorities. I am planning to approach the government seeking homes for them under the Life Mission Kerala- housing scheme for the homeless in Kerala.”
According to Poornima, the thodu puramboke is not fit for inhabitation. “So my plan is to help them after taking into consideration all the pros and cons of the situation. An alternate land should be sought after considering availability. I stand by their side and will forward the rehabilitation plan if they are willing,” she says.