TNUHDB flat residents flag lack of amenities, stage stir at four spots

In addition, they called for better sanitation measures, consistent drinking water supply, functional electric motor pumps, green spaces such as parks and good hygiene standards.

At the Anbu Nagar TNUHDB campus near Malumichampatti, residents complained that the childrens park has been left abandoned. (Photo | S Senbagapandiyan, EPS)

COIMBATORE: Voicing their frustration over long-unresolved issues related to basic civic amenities and infrastructure, residents of housing complexes managed by the Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board (TNUHDB) in Coimbatore district staged protests at four different locations, on Sunday. The protesters highlighted a range of persistent problems affecting daily life in these TNUHDB-managed apartment complexes.

The protests were held at Arivozhi Nagar near Kovaipudur, Anbu Nagar at Malumichampatti, Vellalore and Anbu Nagar where the TNUHDB apartment complexes are located.

The protesters demanded urgent improvements to essential facilities such as proper drainage systems, well-maintained roads, street lighting and regular upkeep of the housing structures.

In addition, they called for better sanitation measures, consistent drinking water supply, functional electric motor pumps, green spaces such as parks and good hygiene standards.

"A key focus of the protests was on safety and health services. We urged the authorities to establish permanent police outposts close to the residential zones, stressing the need for enhanced security, particularly for women and children. We also demanded the setup and full operationalisation of 24-hour primary health centres (PHCs), equipped with adequate staff to address medical emergencies and healthcare needs effectively. Also, we demand that ration shops, government schools and transport facilities are made easily accessible," said GP Sakthivel, district secretary of TNUHDB Residents Association.

He said the demonstrators also raised concerns about waste management and administrative transparency.

At the Anbu Nagar TNUHDB campus near Malumichampatti, residents complained that garbage has not been cleared for the past couple of months, with waste piled up in front of the non-functional community hall on the campus.(Photo | S Senbagapandiyan, EPS)

The protesters also called for the prompt conduct of elections to form or revive Residents' Welfare Associations (or resident committees) in these areas for better community representation and collective advocacy for ongoing issues.

We are asking for regular, scheduled removal of solid waste and septic tanks at fixed intervals to prevent overflows and related health hazards. Additionally, we sought the refund of any amounts reportedly collected unofficially by TNUHDB officials without proper receipts, along with the immediate issuance of ownership documents such as title deeds or patta for their houses to secure legal rights," said CS Bala, a beneficiary from Malumichampatti.

“There are 1,440 houses here, and the houses were allotted to us in 2018. Since then, only 40 % of houses are occupied while the rest are left unused, serving as a hub for anti-social elements. The board has not yet attached the housing unit to the nearby local body, which causes inconvenience in getting basic amenities," Bala added.