Tamil Nadu - Tiruchi   

Cracks persist despite patch-up work

M. Balaganessin

Kailasam, a resident, had a narrow escape a few days ago when concrete rubble fell from ceiling of her house.

Home of all troubles: The housing quarters built by the Tamil Nadu Housing Board three decades ago at Sengulam Colony near Mannarpuram in Tiruchi. PHOTO: R.M. RAJARATHINAM.

TIRUCHI: The residential quarters for government servants constructed three decades ago by the Tamil Nadu Housing Board near Mannarpuram in Tiruchi are now in a dilapidated condition.

The balconies of several houses have developed ominous-looking cracks. The patchwork carried out by the Housing Board a couple of years ago has not strengthened the structure, what with the cracks reappearing.

Residents complain that concrete from the ceiling was tapering and falling. Kailasam, a resident there, had a narrow escape a few days ago when concrete rubble suddenly fell from the ceiling of her house.

The 390 houses are in three-storied buildings and each block/building is equipped with an overhead tank. The seepage of water from the tank to the ground floor speaks volumes about the structural stability of the buildings, according to A. Dhaveed, an employee attached to the Health Department.

That two different agencies are responsible for providing amenities to the residents has been yet another problem, points out R. Kamatchi and Jessey. The Housing Board had handed over the area, minus the quarters, to the city Corporation. While the TNHB collected the rent from the residents, the Corporation has been vested with the responsibility of providing the basic amenities to the residents.

They said that the lack of adequate drainage facility coupled with overflowing septic tanks posed a health hazard to the residents.

The president of the Arasu Kudi Iruppor Nala Sangam, N. Subramanian, said frequent pleas to the TNHB to repair the houses had not evoked any response. The balcony structure should be re-constructed. Electrical wiring, set up decades ago, should be completely renewed.

Despite odds, the residents stay put in the quarters in view of the low monthly rental, which ranges between Rs.170 and Rs.200 including water charges.

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