TVK seeks new flats for dwellers of govt. flats in Thoothukudi; TNUHDB board asks residents to vacate the building

The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam has urged the district administration to give alternative houses to the dwellers of dilapidated apartments of the Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board at Rajiv Gandhi Nagar here.

The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam has urged the district administration to give alternative houses to the dwellers of dilapidated apartments of the Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board at Rajiv Gandhi Nagar here.

In a petition submitted in the Collector here on Tuesday, the TVK cadres and the inhabitants of the apartments, led by the party’s Thoothukudi district in-charge Ajitha Agnel, said the apartments with 444 units were built in 2017 and handed over to the beneficiaries in 2020. The building was in a dilapidated condition because of the substandard quality of construction which posed danger to the lives of the dwellers.

“When the houses were handed over by the board, the beneficiaries were promised that their houses would stand like a rock at least for 20 years. However, the building was crumbling within eight years and it is not right to chase them away from their houses for the fault of the officials and the builder. Hence, the Collector should inspect and check the construction quality of the houses in Rajiv Gandhi Nagar. If these houses are found to be in the worst shape, the occupants should be given alternative houses. Above all, criminal cases should be registered against the contractor and the officials responsible for this colossal loss to the government,” the petitioners said.

Meanwhile, the board has issued notices to the dwellers to vacate their flats immediately.

Representatives of various outfits and the traders of Arumuganeri submitted a petition against the move to set up liquor shops at five places in their area. The petitioners said sustained protests by the public led to the removal of TASMAC’s liquor shop at Arumuganeri, the birthplace of 33 freedom fighters, eight years ago and no official dared to set up the liquor shop again in this area.

However, the official machinery had completed survey for opening liquor shops at five places in Arumuganeri, including a spot close to Government Girls’ Higher Secondary School.

“If the district administration dares to open liquor shops in our place, the birthplace of 33 freedom fighters, we will be forced to stage protests, which will not be good for the district,” the petitioners warned.