Encroachments on PWD land in Metha Nagar demolished

CHENNAI: Structures encroaching upon land belonging to public works department (PWD) along the Cooum river in Metha Nagar, were brought down during a demolition drive on Wednesday.


This was the first drive by the PWD and the Chennai collector that targeted well-developed residential structures. According to sources in the PWD, 26 houses were found encroaching on government land.

“Parts of 20 houses found violating the boundaries were demolished. Remaining two will be demolished on Thursday,” said an official involved in the drive. Houses built on patta lands had extended onto the PWD boundaries over the years. Boundary walls, outhouses, and storerooms that were parts of these residential units worth several lakhs of rupees were also demolished in order to recover government land.

According to residents, several house owners had obtained status-quo orders on the demolition. The orders are valid until October 29, they added. Several multi-storied buildings became targets of the demolition drive, which was carried under the presence of police protection.

“Four house owners had orders of status-quo so we did not touch those structures,” said an official, adding the move was a part of reclamation of Cooum river initiative. A few residents tried to create some disturbance when demolition was being carried out security personnel kept the sutuation under control.

In places where eviction and demolition have been completed along the river, the corporation has started fencing work. Sources in the PWD said over 600 commercial structures are found encroaching government land along Cooum, and will be removed during the upcoming drives.