Demolition drive at Jeeva Nagar in Kovai resumes

COIMBATORE: Demolition drive to bring down 252 homes constructed on encroached land in Jeeva Nagar that began last week continued on Monday after a brief break. In the first phase around 132 homes were pulled down in joint exercise by the Coimbatore city municipal corporation and the Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board (Tnscb). First 90 homes were demolished and the remaining 42 homes were subsequently brought down last week.

The encroached homes were constructed along the one-kilometer on K K Pudur along the route which connects Thadagam Road and Mettupalayam Road. Residents were allotted home in multi-story apartments in Keeranatham by the Tnscb.

A Town Planning wing official said, “action will be taken against the 120 residents of the area who are refusing to vacate their respective homes, despite notice being served, adequate time being given and alternative homes allotted to them.” The civic body has asked the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (Tangedco) to discontinue supply of electricity to the 120 homes. However, the official is confident that the land will be cleared of encroachments in the weeks to come.

The demolition drive which was scheduled to begin in March this year was put on hold by the civic body as the residents opposed the same citing board examinations of the students residing in the area. Subsequently, the Model Code of Conduct which was implemented further delayed the process. It may be recalled that a section of residents had approached the High Court requesting that their homes be spared and they allowed to reside in the area.

However, in 2018, the Supreme Court dismissed the appeal filed by 127 residents.