The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Padi flyover: Residents asked to vacate homes

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jun 09, 2006

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Padi flyover: Residents asked to vacate homes

J. Malarvizhi

No clear compensation has been promised: residents

IN THE WAY: Several establishments on the MTH Road, Villivakkam, near Annai Sathya Nagar, have been marked for demolition to make way for the proposed Padi Junction flyover. — Photo: K.Pichumani

CHENNAI: Over 100 families have been asked to vacate their homes and official premises to make way for the Villivakkam arm of the Padi Junction flyover.

The status of land on one side of the road remains unclear. Residents claimed that several houses were demolished on that side in 2003, though no road-widening work followed. The land was believed to be a disputed property with both a temple and a private person claiming ownership.

Residents on the other side, in Annai Sathya Nagar, claimed that papers were given to allottees when the Nagar was formed around four decades ago.

No pattas

They said they had been paying dues to the Slum Clearance Board with the promise of being given pattas when the payment of dues was complete. Some had completed payment a decade ago. None have received pattas so far.

No clear compensation has been promised but they had been asked to give letters expressing consent for demolition in exchange for cheques for unspecified sums, said Veerappan, Annai Sathya Nagar Welfare Association president .

Other traders, whose establishments will be affected, speculated that they might be given Rs.1 to 2 lakh.

They had not been given any timeframe for vacating premises scheduled to be demolished, they said.

Estimates and valuations

National Highways authorities said they would send estimates and valuations of structures existing to the Highways department.

They in turn will send it to a special DRO, Land Acquisition, who will have to decide if land value is to be recompensed to the residents.

Compensation sought

The National Highways Act 1956 makes it mandatory for the authorities concerned to provide notification in newspapers of intention to acquire land and provide adequate compensation for land and structures affected.

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