The Hindu 27.11.2009
Metrowater’s eviction drive put off
K. Lakshmi
| 867 families have encroached on the water agency’s land near Aspiran Gardens |
- Photo: S.Thanthoni 
LIVELIHOOD MATTERS: A view of Kalvai Thurai at Kilpauk where Metrowater has issued eviction notices recently.
CHENNAI: Chennai Metrowater has postponed its eviction drive at Kalvai Thurai, Kilpauk, to mid-December following a directive from the Madras High Court.
The water agency issued eviction notices for the second time this year on Wednesday to 867 families that had encroached on its land near Aspiran Gardens. With the court issuing a stay order, the eviction drive, which was to begin next week, has been postponed to December 16.
Metrowater officials said that 1,001 families had encroached upon nearly 16 acres of land under which important water pipelines had been laid.
Of these, 134 families had voluntarily moved to Kannagi Nagar in Okkiam Thorapakkam early this year, they said.
The move was imperative to take up maintenance of the pipeline that transmits treated water from the Kilpauk water distribution shaft to various parts of the city, they said.
Work on strengthening the old pipeline would be taken up and the land would be fenced after the eviction, an official said.
Residents of Kalvai Thurai said most of them are construction workers, daily wage labourers and domestic helps, largely employed in the neighbourhood.
S.Murugesan, president of Kalvai Thurai Slum Dwellers’ Welfare Association, said, most residents have been living in the locality for over four decades.
“Nearly 90 families on Kuttiappan Street of the same survey number adjacent to our area were provided with title deeds two decades ago. But, we have been asked to vacate. Besides, it will also take a toll on our children’s education,” he said. The officials said 1,001 tenements have been allotted through the Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board at Okkiam Thorapakkam.
Basic amenities
Efforts are also being made to improve basic amenities, including water supply, transfer of ration cards and helping children to join schools there, they added.
Most of the encroachments on other Metrowater’s lands are in the locality covering a stretch of 3.5 km on New Avadi Road in areas including Villivakkam and ICF.
Nearly 4,000 structures have come up on both sides of the road that accommodate conduit line conveying raw water from Red Hills Lake to Kilpauk Water Works.
Measures are being taken to fence the vacant lands belonging to Metrowater to prevent further encroachment, the officials said.
