No amenities but resettled colonies awash in liquor

CHENNAI: When settlers along the Cooum were moved to sites far outside the city, they were promised jobs, schooling for their kids, better healthcare facilities, clean water – in short, everything that ensured a better life. But while all of these remain elusive, what residents of the newest resettlement sites have found, instead, is liquor flowing freely within the premises.
When TOI visited the Navalur Housing Board settlements near Padappai, 37km from the city and 2km off the Vandalur-Oragadam-Walajabad Road, it resembled a sleepy village in the middle of nowhere. A single bus from Padappai, 10km away, ferries people five times a day to and from the settlement, with the last ride at 7pm.

Evicted families from Arumbakkam, Indiranagar, Muthumariamman Koil Street, MGR Colony and at least five more sites not coming under the Chennai Rivers Restoration project live in the 2000 houses that have been allotted.

The source of the alcohol is a bar situated 1.5 km from the site which blatantly flouts its licence by illegally selling liquor, say residents. Men who have bikes rush there first thing in the morning, while others depend on couples who stock and sell alcohol within the tenements for a handsome profit of Rs 30 per bottle. “There is one family in charge of selling alcohol for each block,” said A Kavitha who moved here last November.

“Men who had jobs when we were in the city have now dedicated their entire day to drinking and smoking,” said D Rajalaxmi, adding, “There are young kids who have easy access to alcohol and instead of studying or working, they while away their time and money on alcohol. And the women can’t move around the site after sunset.”

Many of the families that moved in lost their source of livelihood due to lack of frequent buses to the site and the dearth of suitable jobs around the area. “There are several industries here but they need us to work in shifts, which is unacceptable for the women,” said Kavitha. Moreover, barely seven months since they moved into brand new apartments, the infrastructure is crumbling, with staircases losing concrete and portions of the roof collapsing.

Evicted familes resettled in Gudapakkam have a similar tale to tell. When the only Tasmac shop nearby was closed down, tempers ran high among the men. “But the problem was solved in a few days,” said T Kala, who was moved here from Om Shakti Nagar. “People have started selling alcohol and cigarettes inside their homes. Kids as young as 10 years are acquainted with smoking and drinking. Has the government dropped us here to increase our miseries?” she lamented.

An official from the CRRT said he was aware of the issues and the body has requested the setting up of police booths at these sites but no action has been taken by the TNSCB so far.